True Life in God Testimonies from Prisoners...
 Prisoners
in Portugal have been deeply touched by our Lord's messages in
True Life in God. The testimonies have been collected in
four books.
... how incredible it can seem, however incomprehensibly it
presents itself, the reality is that, in prison, I have learned
to be free and I feel myself more free now than ever before...
Reading of these books (True Life in God) helps us to
consecrate all our being to God, offering to Him day-by-day all
our sufferings, our gladness, in reparation to the Sacred Heart
of Jesus, every day wounded and lacerated by our sins. I feel
flowing in myself, through me, a universal Love and not an
egoist love, that only corrupts and destroys man. It is why I am
free. Nevertheless, we can't uproot our past: our vices, our
weakness, our faults. And it is necessary to re-construct these,
as does the architect of a monastic abbey, as balancing heavy
stones, making them become lightweight.
The meditation, the reading of these books helps us precisely
make lightweight the tortuous roads of life, that each one
certainly calls his own cross, his own Calvary. Reading the
books helps us not to worry with questions such as what can we
take from life but primarily helps us how to give something to
life. And to give something to life is to surrender ourselves to
the will of God, just as every day we ask Him: "...thy Kingdom
come, thy Will be done on earth as it is in heaven...".
When we are able to become aware that the Will of God is also
our will, when we entrust ourselves entirely, without
reservation, to Him we become free men. And to be free is a
miracle that we must permanently safeguard, and it will only
become perpetual when we allow Jesus to act in us, through us,
just like the canticle "... I entrust all of myself to Christ,
never more do I feel alone ...". A universal love is the supreme
expression of being free. Universal love is in Jesus. Stay with
Jesus to be free.
A crucifix, which lies on the iron board of the window of my
cell, near the headboard of my bed, constantly watches me. I
think it is there by Its own will because every time I tried to
put it on the wall, it seemed that it rejected such a new
disposition...
Now, as to the already initiated reading of the books
offered, what most calls my attention, undoubtedly, is the
peaceful feeling I have as I read True Life of God: "I am Jesus.
Vassula, lean on Me and rest". Yes, I remain calm and peaceful.
It is as if He were there, beside me, calm and tranquil, giving
me the assurance of not being alone; or as if I could imagine
His Silent Presence, knowing Him close to me, always my Friend,
with no need to pronounce a single word, knowing that I can,
whatever happens, count on Him, much before I ask Him for
anything, trusting that we can rely on each other. And this was
the best gift I got this Christmas; i.e. to gain the trust of a
Friend, whom we know shall never forsake us...
Thus, with this feeling of peacefulness as a form of
communication, I shall pursue His Work, searching even more, to
strengthen my new and better rejuvenated friendship...
I can't really write anything unless I feel it comes from the
bottom of my heart. Thus, I have to say to you again that I've
read all the volumes of True Life of God up to volume 7, and the
monthly magazine too. I know and admit that I don't have the
faith I need (as Jesus said); but the truth is that I've gained
more perfection so it was worth reading them. It was also of a
great help to me to go through the Sacred Bible, both Old and
New Testaments.
Sister! My greetings. I've just received your message. In
fact, your words can heal a wounded soul. I've always asked
Christ to look after me, especially during the Easter season, so
that it can be my redemption time.
I'm looking forward to your third visit which means a lot to
me... I enjoy the "flavour" of Christ's words, because His words
can teach me all we have to do... "I love you, Come and Console
me, by loving Me..." I have a great empathy for the word 'Vassula';
and as I put myself in her place, I feel that Jesus lives inside
my heart. I've read volumes 1 through 3 of the TLIG messages. I
think it's an extraordinary and very important reading,
especially in my situation. It helps me learn about Christ. I've
been feeling very well with these books. I shall continue
reading them. I'm waiting for my freedom because of my faith
which comes from Jesus Christ, the All-Mighty. I'm always
available to Him..
... The first news I have is of a great joy. The Priest came
back to say a Mass here as usual on every Saturday and, after
talking to him, he encouraged me to go on. Thank God, during
these last two weeks many other inmates have also attended Mass
and I have too as often as possible. I've loaned the books about
True Life of God to other people in jail to attract them to
Mass, although there are a couple of other prisoners who have
different ideologies (which I respect); yet, gradually, they
began to understand and start joining our side. I know of an
inmate who was preached by the Jehovah Witness people who used
to come here. But I asked him so often to join us that he
finally decided to attend Mass. I've asked God to send the Holy
Spirit to bless us all, so that in the future we can all become
only one family, real Christians, and by being so, our burden
should become less heavier to all.
I have placed the Crucifix on the wall of my cell, by the
headboard of my bed. I've read most of the books and am now
reading volume 8 of True Life of God. As I read them, I become
more and more interested, and recognize it is an extraordinary
work which has helped me a great deal...
As to the book "True Life of God in the Prisons of Portugal"
I find it extraordinary. There are other prisoners in other
prisons who have great talent. I admire them and can tell God is
closer to us more often, despite our errors and faults... One
day, when I'm free, I'd like to take all those books home with
me, although I have read them, so that my grandchildren can
become real Christians through its reading.
Sister, I've hung the Crucifix on top of my bed. I have also
decorated my cell with posters and it now looks very pretty. I
feel very well in my cell now. I pray a the Rosary and I'm also
reading Vassula's book, True Life of God, and I have loaned the
other one to my cell neighbor.
I'm really enjoying the book True Life of God, and my next
cell neighbor is too. Sister, I'm happy because ... has always
attended Mass, but since she was convicted in June, she became
sad as she could no longer attend Mass. Well, when I arrived
here with my posters and the books about True Life of God and
the Crucifix, as I showed them to my cell neighbor, she liked
them very much. I also told her I had been here with a priest. I
talked to her for a long time. Now she often goes to Church with
me and we pray the Rosary together every day . I've given her an
image of the Holy Mary so that she could hang it by her bed.
Now, ... feels very happy and I do too.
Once again I thank you for your efforts, your strength,
courage and dedication as well as for the love you've given to
the prisoners of Portugal. Only by the blessing of God could you
have been able to pass on to us this strength and love. His
signal could not have been spread all over the country sowing
the Word of Jesus throughout an arid land if He had not chosen
you to do it.
...Well, despite my ignorance, as I've already admitted, I
believe that Vassula's writings have not come out to jeopardize
the faith of the Christians, but on the contrary. At least for
those who were only Catholics but that intimately were ashamed
to be so, Vassula's writings reinforced their Faith, more
vividly and with even a more vigorous religious life.
Vassula certainly must have many enemies; The Holy Father
does too; Jesus also had them. By the way, all those who tell
the "truth" have their enemies mainly because it is just. That's
why only those who do not have foes shouldn't be worthy.
I confess that Vassula's writings have helped me a lot; I've
never felt alone in my pain and suffering since I began to read
them. Fortunately, my sorrows and suffering are not known by
many. Yet, from the time I've got acquainted with Vassula's
books, which you offered me, I have never felt lonely any more.
A Testimony from an American Prisoner
I have found true Peace; Love reading TLIG; and have shared
it with others and know that it has touched their hearts as
well. My sister tried to get me to read one of those books. ...
then I got arrested ... the wheels of justice turns real slow in
TX. She finally got you to send me Volume 1. At first I was
weary-until I decided to really sit down and read it. I've
always believed in the Spirit of God, but had a problem praying
to Jesus (a man). But after I started reading I felt the love
and the pain Jesus is going thru. He talks with such feeling
that it made me love him. And feel guilty for not trusting and
loving him earlier..... After I read the books I let other guys
read them, and you could actually see the change in a person
that really opens up their heart and mind to God-Lord Jesus and
his sweet Mother Mary. May the Lord Jesus bless the World that
we all live in and have mercy on those whose ear and eyes are
closed.
(G. S., Fort Worth, TX. USA, January 1996)
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