Newsletter N. 3/25 – “From His Blood alone, I must draw life”

April 22, 1943: “Jesus, my Master, with his word without sound, tells me that my place is more than ever at the foot of his cross. From his Blood alone, I must draw life…”.

The most fascinating part of Maria Valtorta’s story – with the visions of Jesus’ life – will begin the day after this note, written on Holy Thursday 1943; however, the scent of what will happen is already in the air: the atmosphere is ready, “the Angel” is coming… and she is preparing to ask herself how to respond. On Good Friday 1934, nine years earlier, she had offered herself – with incredible courage and faith – to “divine justice” for the eternal salvation of souls. If words have a meaning and a weight, here we are at a formula of faith-courage-love worthy of a martyr. In those times she did not yet have a spiritual director, nor a guide, nor an advisor. Saint Therese, with her “Story of a Soul” and John Ruisbroek, with “The Spiritual Wedding”, together with the Bible, were her true helmsmen. Around her she had an earthly mother – Mrs. Iside – to love humanly and supernaturally despite being “a harpy”, and then a flood of illnesses to bear and carry with patience and joy. Finally, despite all this, to live the love of God towards all men. In this “last day” of the first part of her life, Maria Valtorta trudges in the dark without knowing what is about to happen, but then with the daily mystical presence of Jesus she will fly into the blue of God’s Heaven.

Some words of this sentence indicate the spiritual level to which she had already arrived: the “word without sound” reveals the mystical part that already dominated her life. But it must be clear that it is not because of her painful psycho-physical state, but rather because of her faith despite the martyrdom of the illnesses that forced her to that bed. She will grow a lot more after May 1944, after the night of the spirit, but already now the theological virtues – faith, hope and charity – are the air she breathes, making her live and grow.

If she had ever doubted it, this “word without sound” reveals her future: in the years that remain to her – they should have been two according to the doctors, but will actually be 18 – she will have to live in the service of the cross of Jesus for the salvation of souls. It was already her choice, which is now confirmed by Heaven. The second sentence reveals where Jesus has definitively transplanted her: in his cross. Symbolic fact? Yes and no. Yes, because the cross of Jesus dates back to 2,000 years ago, no because from the following day the drama of Maria Valtorta’s life will worsen to the point of tearing away the use of reason itself (1955). On the other hand, the blood of Jesus, the sacrifice of Jesus, his death on the cross for men, will be the profound meaning of living secluded within the confines of her bed for the rest of her life, that is, until the gates of Paradise open for her.

— fr. Ernesto Zucchini

[This text was automatically translated by Google Translate]