Today I have had only the joy of contemplating the Holy Face of Jesus.
Perhaps my Good Jesus reckoned He had spoken to me enough in the dictation of December 31, 1943, which began on that day and ended at 2:30 a.m. on January 1, after a few hours’ interruption due to external factors of which you1 are well aware and which are a torment for me, for I would like to be able to devote myself to listening to Him alone. Perhaps He has wanted to act this way because, in addition, poor Maria has been gasping today like a pike pulled out of the water and was feeling really ill from 3 to 9 p.m., with breathlessness and palpitation that were quite impressive and plunged me into drowsiness before usual, so quickly that I was left with the three cushions, in such fashion that I am aching all over.
But I am happy because I have seen Him. Especially his blessed eyes. I sank into that living, magnetic sapphire and emerged from it gloriously. And after these few words in that blessedness, I recollect myself so that He will remain as my company throughout the night.
1 Here and throughout the volume the writer often addresses her spiritual director, Father Romualdo M. Migliorini, a Servant of Mary. Biographical information concerning him may be found in The Notebooks. 1943 (Isola del Liri, Italy: Centro Editoriale Valtortiano, 1996), translated by David G. Murray, p. 17. In addition to The Notebooks, frequent reference is made in this volume to the monumental life of Christ containing the visions and teachings received by Maria Valtorta from her Divine Master. It is currently available in English as The Poem of the Man-God (Isola del Liri, Italy: Centro Editoriale Valtortiano, 1986-1990), translated by Nicandro Picozzi. We shall refer to the texts mentioned in these Notebooks and included in the volumes on the life of Christ by indicating the “cycle” to which they belong: Preparation (referring to The Hidden Life); The First, Second, and Third Years of the Public Life; The Passion; and The Glorification.