Discover the experiences shared by our readers
These detailed testimonies reveal the profound impact of Maria Valtorta's work on the spiritual lives of its readers. Each account witnesses the graces received and conversions experienced.
202
testimonies collected
These detailed testimonies have been collected according to a structured methodology, allowing precise documentation of the impact of Maria Valtorta's work on readers' spiritual lives. Each testimony addresses the discovery of the work, its impact on faith, the graces received, and recommendations for other potential readers.
David Webster
It was a Lutheran inter-denominational women's Bible study leader who shared this work with me.
These Revelations to Maria Valtorta greatly accelerated my journey into the Catholic Church, and my transition from being a former fundamentalist Baptist pastor to a Catholic apologist would hardly have been possible without it
All throughout the work, I was absolutely overwhelmed by the Love, Patience, and Self-Sacrifice of the Lord. I have told others that if you decide to read this work, you had better have a full box of Kleenex near you. These divine revelations not only establish the truth of the Catholic Faith but (or because they do!) do not at all overlook the serious decline of true Catholic faith in both the laity and the priesthood during WWII, and especially in the time that would follow: "a brief time in which the enemy would regroup for an ever greater assault." The honesty was quite assuring to me.
If you care to actually feel as though you have lived with Jesus and His Disciples for those three-and-a-half years, and to be impacted as the Apostles were on the Day of Pentecost, this work is clearly for you!
These Revelations also fully resolved several what were thought to be contradictions between the Gospel writers. Here it was revealed that only missing information had led to false conclusions, and with the information restored, the alleged contradiction vanishes. It has also been revealed that these Revelations (the only "so-called" private Revelation ever ordered by a pope to be published in the entire history of the Church!) will play a very predominate role in the coming New Evangelization at the Triumph of Mary! It seems very obvious, then, that the attempt at the New Evangelization at Vatican II failed because these revelations were severely repressed, and thus the Holy Spirit was missing at the Council! Could there then be anything with a greater priority than the promotion of these Revelations?
Anonymous
From divorced parents, in a family where Catholicism was only formal, I left a private institution at the end of my secondary studies completely disenchanted: following a life choice, I stopped all practice. 40 years later, on the internet, I came across "The Word that Gives Eternal Life." The passage recounted Jesus' agony in Gethsemane, an excerpt from "The Gospel as Revealed to Me" by Maria Valtorta. Initially, I photocopied the texts to read at leisure, then I acquired the 10 volumes, the 3 "Notebooks," the "Diaries," and everything related to Maria Valtorta.
It was a spiritual regeneration, because from the moment of agony, I had been shaken, as if I had been waiting for this to "return home," which explains the thirst with which I embarked on this discovery. I read the 10 volumes twice in a row, taking notes, following on the "map of Palestine at the time of Jesus" and especially internalizing what I learned about the God-Man, seeking to know him more deeply, participating in his life among the apostles, truly discovering them as human beings and following with them the teaching given by Jesus through words and behavior: Jesus the master, my master too. He became henceforth the intimate guide to whom I opened my heart and mind, where I try to welcome him because I have returned to Faith, the Church, the sacraments, Sunday mass for Him, praying internally, and I try to correspond to what he expects of me because then he gives me such gentle peace, but if I fall short, I am in such discomfort that I go to confession: in others, I see Christ.
Currently, I am rereading the Work while following the Gospel celebrations at mass, but I also reread passages such as the Passion: Gethsemane, the Last Supper, when I feel the need. I also revisit the Notebooks where I always discover something new. I enroll people in "Jesus Today," which parallels the day's Gospel with the same passage in "The Gospel as It Was Revealed to Me," that is, the context in which it was spoken. I also read about the lives of great saints: Saint Augustine, Francis of Assisi, Francis de Sales, Sister Faustina, Padre Pio, Thérèse of the Child Jesus. We only love what we know, and it is thanks to this work that I have known and loved Jesus. Through this life of the God-Man, I have felt "involved." It is through what I have been able to understand about Jesus revealed by this "unimaginable gift for humanity" that is "The Gospel as It Was Revealed to Me." I do not believe in chance: this fortuitous discovery was offered to me by Jesus! He brought me back to Him, saving my soul, He brought me out of nothingness.
It is never too late "the first step is the hardest," and this work is also available in audio version (CD, USB key). And finally, "may the grace of your Lord Jesus Christ be with all those who see in this book an approach to Me and ask that it be fulfilled, to defend them, with the cry of Love: Come, Lord Jesus!" (Jesus, in the Farewell to the Work volume 10)
I would add that "The Gospel as it was revealed to me" is not a fifth Gospel: it illustrates and reactivates the same scenes and places the Gospels in the context of the 3 years of Jesus' public life; which makes the text very lively and sometimes more accessible, especially when Jesus, knowing that clarification would be welcome, states it himself. Here are 4 examples: - "Woman, what is there between you and me now?" Jesus says to his mother at the wedding in Cana? (Jn 2:1) Correspondence Maria Valtorta: T1 EMV 52.7 page 359 - "Who are my mother and my brothers?" (Luke 8:21) Correspondence Maria Valtorta: T4 EMV page 269 chapter 14 - "You will drink my cup" (Mt 20:20-28) Correspondence Maria Valtorta: T9 EMV 577.9 And it is about the Sabbath, second first Luke V,1 so evident in Maria Valtorta T3 Ch217 old edition ch 79.
Clare Paulson
It's been over a decade since I began engaging on online discussion boards, where I encountered many lost and misguided souls. I wanted to better answer their questions about Christian core beliefs and doctrines, Gospel scenes, as well as address heresies (e.g., Antidicomarianism, reincarnation). Therefore, my mother recommended The Poem of the Man-God, which she knew of through her own mother; both are long-time devout Catholics and advocates of this Work. I read it, and since then I've researched Maria Valtorta further, discovered her other God-Authored Works as well, and re-read and advocated for them all.
The Poem of the Man-God is an illumination of the Gospel, because it is a more in-depth look into, and an intimate understanding of, Jesus's mortal days, where He is made greater in His humility, which is substantial nourishment for us to teach us to be humble and like Him, a man like us, who bore the perfection of a God. Furthermore, in it, the lives of other characters are made more known as well, such as Joseph and Mary of Nazareth, Mary the Magdalene, apostles Peter and Judas Iscariot, Pontius Pilate, the Pharisees and scribes, and countless others. Their journeys, weaknesses, strengths, failures, and victories are shown in greater detail, serving for us as lessons to be better understood and applied. Lastly, as I read the Work, I experience narrative transportation. These are just a few brief reasons that contribute to my having lived, in a way, with Jesus and His companions, and to coming to know them more personally through their times of holy joys, comforts, sorrows, and sufferings, all of which ever fortify my increasing desire to love Him by living and sharing the Gospel.
In reading the Work, I find that I've been increasingly regular at integrating God into my day-to-day life in the following ways: reading the Gospel, receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation and the Eucharist, practicing spiritual and corporal acts of mercy, being vigilant of and deliberate in my desires, thoughts, words, actions/deeds, and emotions/feelings, being cognizant of how they can affect my soul and eternal destiny, as well as influence the spiritual journeys of others, and offering more sacrifices and expressing thankfulness to God throughout the day. Furthermore, it has increased my God-given fortitude so that, when I stumble in my humanness, I may more readily resist unholy fear, despair, and hopelessness, and rather run to Him with sincere repentance, trust, humility, and much love, as well as first give others the opportunity to do the same when they sin against themselves or another, rather than judge and condemn them, because faith in God is a responsibility. These are just a few examples of concrete Graces that this Work of God has brought to my spiritual life.
The four Gospels are essential and sufficiently describe Jesus—the minimum necessary for bringing one to belief and salvation—but it's not a complete knowledge of Him (Jn. 21:25), and His Mother is little known, etc. There's more helpful knowledge to learn and understand. To the little sheep seeking to become acquainted with their Shepherd, Jesus, Maria Valtorta is the staff leading you to Him.
Like others, I have and will continue to share the God-Authored Works by Maria Valtorta with others, especially priests, in the hope that they too will recognize the Voice of our living, loving, and interactive God, as well as the voices of other heavenly persons, such as the Blessed Virgin Mary, apostles Peter, John, and Paul, and others.
Gwenyth Story
A non-Catholic friend told me about it as we traveled home from a meeting about the Virgin Mary. She had only just begun reading it, and we were able to continue reading it together for the next few years. We met once a week to discuss it and to pray the Rosary. My friend later entered the Catholic Church and has been a strong Catholic since. I absolutely loved Maria's work, and I treated it as my exciting reward to read in the evenings after busy family days.
It strengthened my faith and was like a continual conversion, as it helped me understand the Gospels more. Maria's writings filled in gaps in the Gospels for me. It was like coloring in black-and-white Gospel pictures, and all became alive. It certainly helped me to know Jesus and to see how perfect He is; hence, I continually fell in love with Him more and more. It also helped me see, know, and love Blessed Mary, and helped me know and understand the Apostles, and laugh and cry along with them.
It has helped me pray more sincerely. The Mass and Confession became more meaningful. Jesus became a strong Friend during my daily life activities. At the time of discovering these writings, I was feeling quite disillusioned with the Church, so I do wonder where I would now be if I hadn't started reading these wonderful writings. I am so grateful to God for pointing me towards them.
The only way to know if you believe it or not is to read it. In 1948, Pope Pius XII said, "Publish this work as it is. Those who read it will understand." That is so true. If you want to understand the Gospels more, read Maria's writings, and they will help the Gospels come alive for you.
Noel Ashcroft
I heard about it on a pilgrimage to Medugorie in 1986. I got hold of the first volume of Poem of the Man God. After reading for a relatively short while (couple of hours), I quickly felt that this was not written by a human mind. I read on and became increasingly convinced that God was directing this writing. From then on, I could not put the book down. I knew I was listening to Jesus speaking and thirsted for more. The upshot was that I bought the full set of the Poem and, later, the Notebooks, Autobiography, Azariah, and everything published.
My faith has gone from strength to strength since 1986, and I attribute this to a great extent to these readings. I have not been able to put these writings down, as they have continued to create a spiritual thirst in me. I read this pretty much every day and have read everything at least six times and continuing, and get much more from the writings each time I read them. I know I will continue this until I can no more. I am currently 81 years old.
I find I now talk to God many (very many) times a day, either to the father, Jesus or the Holy Spirit, depending on circumstances, much of this being thanks to God in what I see around me. For example I see people doing ordinary automatic things and I give silent thanks to God on their behalf as it wouldn’t occur to them to say thanks as it was automatic to them. At other time a tree or plant and often the immensity of the sea, and then creation itself. The work has given me a feeling that I know Jesusin his daily life and can talk to Him more freely as a brother. The work has given me a feeling that I know Jesus in His daily life and can talk to Him more freely as a brother. I now love Him and Mary much more.
I would ask them to read a piece for an hour or two and see how they go. I often tell people that Mother Teresa always kept one of the volumes with her as she travelled, and that’s a strong endorsement of the value of the work.
If I look back over my life, there have been many things and people that have contributed to where my faith is today, as a committed practicing Catholic. However, without a shadow of a doubt, I believe these works by Jesus through Maria Valtorta have been, by far, the major positive influence on how I see and respond to God.
Gerard Beer
Like many I discovered ’The Poem’ from Our Lady Queen of Peace, Medjugorje. One of the Visionaries asked about Our Lady’s life and she recommended this book. That was 1988 and I continued reading it.
It deepened my prayer life as well as returning to Confession.
It deepened my relationship with Jesus as well as having a deeper relationship with his friends who are the many characters throughout the book.
Research shows that there is an imprimatur, as well as approval by many holy clergy and laypeople. One in particular is Dr. Mark Miravalle, Doctor of Mystical Theology from the Franciscan University of Steubenville and Ave Maria University, Florida.
In conclusion, it has illuminated the Bible for me. Some of my favorite characters are Lazarus, who was well off but in no way attached to his wealth; additionally, Maximinus, his steward, and, of course, his dear sisters Mary Magdalene and Martha, as well as Sidonius, Mary Clopas, and Mary Salome. These individuals helped me connect the dots with the Poem, so to speak, in my Air Force travels to France 23 years ago. The Dominicans in St. Baume, France, as I do, believe that they evangelized there. Additionally, these Saints are mentioned in the Lives of the Saints. Finally, the Early Church and Western Church believed that Mary Magdalene, Lazarus, and Martha were indeed siblings, as the Poem demonstrates.
Anthony Smith
I remember being in the local parochial house at a meeting with the priest at the time, about twenty-five years ago, and I saw this book, The Poem of the Man-God, in his book cabinet. I asked him about it, and he said, “Would you like to read it?” and I said yes. It was Volume Four. I couldn’t wait to get the other volumes. Little did I know what I was being prepared for.
It made it all so real for me. I became enthralled by this incredible mission, I would call it. I feel very fortunate that I had a great love of reading, given to me by my father. When I was a child, I would sit at my father’s feet and listen to him reading cowboy books.
I started to take my faith very seriously: to go to Mass more, to receive Jesus at every Mass and to do so with reverence, and to try to live my life the way Jesus would want me to.
I have just gotten my sister to read a paragraph where Jesus appears to Judas’s mother to console her. My sister is seventy-seven years of age. It’s never too late to learn.
At seventy-three years of age, I feel I was being prepared for events that I would not have been able to face without God’s help. You see, twenty years ago this month, my only son died in a car accident. He was just twenty-one. It was our nine-eleven. He was a passenger in the car his friend was driving. I had gone to sleep the night before reading Volume Five, the paragraph where Jesus was lying in the arms of his mother after being taken down from the cross. Shortly after, at about five a.m., I got the word that my son was dead. I just said, “God, I’m finished; you have to take over,” and He did. That is why I’m here to write this. God bless your work. Tony
Ed Chavez
I first heard of Maria Valtorta's work in the 1980s on a network site and later through a fellow parishioner. My interest was piqued because I had been searching for some form of study of scripture that was informal and not just another catechism class, and designed for a personal pace. When I read an excerpt of "The Gospel as Revealed to Me," I was hooked and quickly bought the five volume set and gradually obtained the Notebooks and additional supporting volumes. They were so engrossing I read them quickly and have since been re-reading them slowly just to savor them. It is always "new."
The volumes have nourished my faith and love for scripture by the vivid portrayals of the gospel. The scenes and explanations not only sharpen the events but bring out such subtleties such as His glances, smiles, reproaches, parts of speech, and silence displaying His true humanity within the hypostatic union. Listening to the Gospel at Mass brightens up as I immediately recall the description shown in the work.
The work has brought me the grace of a deeper comprehension in my spiritual life: the Eucharistic sacrifice, the mysteries of the rosary, reconciliation, and a firm hope for eternal life. It's a solace that has kept me less defensive about my faith and at peace with a renewed resolve in its truthful foundation.
Time and again I encourage others to read just one chapter. Most are daunted, however, by the sheer volume of the work and its details: "Too descriptive of the landscape," "Dialogues are too long," etc.
Jean Louis
Via the internet on the website of Marie de Nazareth.
This allows me to better understand and illuminate certain passages of the Gospel, to put the events in their context, the gospel thus becomes much more alive, (we thus share Jesus' life better). This has allowed me to better know the life, the characters of the disciples, those close to Jesus (women, friends, etc..), to see all the problems with the Pharisees and the scribes, and also to realize the love and tenderness of Jesus for his mother.
I need to regularly read the writings of Marie Valtorta, I think this increases my faith.
One should not hesitate to discover it because there is no opposition with the Gospels.
Anonymous
I found out about Valtora's work when I started googling for answers about what the Catholic Faith had to say on certain topics about the End Times, Angels and Human Morality. It was at an inflection point in my life, when I realised that the modern world had no answers for the many questions I had during that period of my life.
The work has really filled in all the gaps of what I previously understood my faith to be. It has challenged and shaken the foundations of this modern world view for me. It has gently, but shockingly at the same time, set me on the correct path again. It has done this because of the love it has reignited in me- the love for Jesus Christ.
Prior to the reading of this work my prayer life was not a priority. There has been a profound shift in my prayer habits, which I can 100% attribute to the mastery of Jesus' words and lived examples as imparted by Valtorta.
Anything I tell you would never be good enough for you to fully understand why I read Valtorta. I have read the works through now 4 times, and each time I finish I cannot wait again to go back to book 1. It's just something which cannot be fully understood until you read it from the beginning to its end!
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