The Book of Azarias

The Book of Azarias, CEV edition, 2011

• Title: The Book of Azarias
• Author: Maria Valtorta
• Publication year: 2002, reissued in 2011
• 370 pages
• Translator: Stéphane Chéramy
• Annotations: Emilio Pisani
• ISBN 978-88-7987-094-8
• Publisher: Valtortian Editorial Center, Viale Piscicelli 89-91 - 03036 Isola del Liri (Fr) - Italy
• Original title: Libro di Azaria
• First edition: 1972

This Book was written between February 24, 1946 and February 2, 1947. Azarias, the guardian angel of Maria Valtorta and sometimes the archangel Raphael, comment on the 58 festive Masses of the Missal of Saint Pius V in use at that time.

For Emmanuel GaudrWaterlt, this work constitutes one of the summits of the work of Maria Valtorta: "a summit of love and contemplation of heavenly life." Throughout his commentaries, "Maria's guardian angel guides Souls on spiritual paths, particularly advanced Souls, and teaches them to conduct themselves on the ways of God toward a very great perfection of Love". This book, "truly angelic," in Salton's terms, is nevertheless not without revelations, such as that of Lucifer's fall which petrifies Heaven.

Its originality lies in the commentary on liturgical texts (excluding the Gospel). It deepens and enhances these often underrated Mass texts such as: the introit (entrance chant), the gradual (chant following the epistle), the antiphons (introduction and conclusion of the Psalm), the secret (prayer before the Preface), etc… A true Hidden treasure.

According to the editions, this book was introduced with three successive prefaces that reveal everything about the interest of its content (see below).

Preface to the first edition (Father Corrado M. Berti)

In this very first preface, Father Berti explains how the title given by Maria Valtorta was abandoned in favor of a more conventional title that would avoid theological ambiguities.

"Maria Valtorta had given this book a title and a subtitle: Angelical Masses, Instructions; but these words, although they quite clearly suggest the content and purpose of the book, seem entirely inappropriate.

Undoubtedly, Jesus, the supreme and eternal priest, Mary mother of Christ and the Church, the Angels and the saints intertwine the heavenly liturgy with that of earth, celebrated by priests together with the simple faithful, who with them form the universal or local, pilgrim Church in the world, on the way to the eternal Jerusalem. Indeed, the ancient Syro-Antiochene Eucharistic Prayer, called Saint James’, states that during the sacred rite, we invoke the saints so that they may offer the sacrifice without bloodshed along with us. However, the title "Angelical Masses" might suggest that the Angels are priests and that they celebrate the Mass: a notion which does not at all reflect sound theology and does not correspond to the Doctrine exposed in the book.

Likewise, the subtitle Instructions, although it seems to indicate that the book contains theoretical or practical indications, does not reveal in any way the nature of these warnings and advice, nor to which categories of persons they are addressed.

In total, among the various suggested titles, we have chosen a very simple, biblical confession: The Book of Azarias, a title justified by the fact that the author of the book, namely Maria Valtorta, would be assisted by her guardian angel, Azarias, who is said to have dictated it to her.

Maria Valtorta, who was infirm, wrote this volume, like all others of religious character, in Viareggio, Via Antonio Fratti, in the house now bearing number 257. She wrote it while bedridden, her notebook resting on her knees, with her own hand, using one of the fountain pens currently in the archives, without possessing or consulting appropriate books, without corrections, without prior outlines, or any sort of revision.

She wrote it between 1946 and 1947, a very sad and difficult period for Maria Valtorta, as appears or transpires here and there in this volume and as will be even more evident when the vast array of her correspondence is published.

This book consists primarily of a theological and spiritual commentary on 58 festive Masses found in the Missal reformed by order of the Tridentine Ecumenical Council, promulgated by Saint Pius V in 1570 and updated by subsequent pontiffs; a Missal which has now given way to that restored by the will of the Vatican II Ecumenical Council and promulgated by order of Paul VI in 1970.

As is well known, the two Missals are essentially identical. Nevertheless, the recent one added, moved, edited, and redid many prayers. It introduced numerous other biblical readings, many of which changed location, etc. It is therefore not possible to provide a comparative table here: this would enter a complex and inaccessible correspondence table for most of our readers, who will rather find the biblical references in the footnotes and the index.

As this is a theological commentary on the festive Missal, this volume (The Book of Azarias) allegedly addresses all categories of persons; especially considering the lucid clarity in which the most notable doctrinal subjects are also presented, it is truly accessible to all, scholars and novices, great and small.

As it is a spiritual commentary, it contains directives, advice, etc. This concerns the writer and the persons with whom she maintained a privileged relationship, as well as two well-defined categories: those of the spiritual directors of charismatics and the charismatics themselves, that is, those who have received extraordinary gifts and tasks from God.

Maria Valtorta – as we have already stated – presents this writing as dictated by an angel, by her guardian angel, Azarias. What to think of this declaration?

Without any doubt, it is not impossible that an angel, appearing or not in human or similar form, speaks, says, or otherwise expresses its thought. The Bible itself – Old and New Testament – is full of angelic interventions, both to teach and to guide. It is therefore not clear why such phenomena cannot or should not be verified in today's Church, which is identical to that of all previous centuries. However, given the sublimity, originality, accuracy, and clarity of the many teachings and advice contained in this volume, if an angel did not dictate it, it is certain that an angel illuminated the poor writer, performing one of those missions that Catholic theology unanimously recognizes for Angels, servants of God and bearers to men of the mysteries and wills of the Most High.

We conclude by repeating what we have constantly affirmed, especially regarding the major Work of Maria Valtorta. Our mission is to publish Valtortian writings critically and not to rule on the different explanations given or to be given concerning the phenomenon. We reserve canonical judgment to the sole competent ecclesiastical authority and strictly scientific judgment to scholars in their respective fields of knowledge. As curator and editor, we will adhere to what Pope Pius XII, during a special audience granted to Father Migliorini and myself on February 26, 1948, wisely, prudently, and authoritatively suggested: "Publish this work as it is: whoever reads will understand."

Rome, February 2, 1972, Feast of the Presentation of the Lord,

Fr. Corrado M. Berti, OSM

Preface to the second edition (Emilio Pisani)

In this 2007 reissue, Emilio Pisani focuses on factually describing the content of the Book but also highlights the high spiritual value noted by Emmanuel GaudrWaterlt. Indeed, it is a work that gives full value to liturgical texts often overshadowed by the Gospel.

"The lessons of the angel Azarias, written by Maria Valtorta and gathered in this book, concern the festive Masses of the liturgical calendar in force before the reform desired by the Vatican II Ecumenical Council (1962-1965). Each lesson was written and commented on the very Sunday when the liturgy was celebrated. Only one lesson is not on a Sunday, that of Thursday, June 20, 1946, the feast of God (Corpus Domini).

All the other lessons illustrate the 50 Sundays’ Masses from Sunday, February 24, 1946, to Sunday, February 2, 1947. That year, seven Sundays then coincided with particular solemn feasts: the Holy Trinity, the commemoration of Saint Paul, the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, the feast of Christ the King, the Immaculate Conception, the Most Holy Name of Jesus, the Holy Family. They are included with the corresponding Sunday Mass commentary. The total is therefore 58 Masses commented over 51 lessons.

To the date of the day and the title of the Mass, noted by Maria Valtorta, we have added, in small sections, the parts of the Mass composed from biblical references (Introit, Epistle, Gradual, Gospel, Offertory, Communion) and texts (Collect, Secret, Postcommunion). The citations refer to the Bible of the New Vulgate. The texts are taken from a 1935 Missal that belonged to Maria Valtorta.

The lessons are presented as given to Maria Valtorta, to further instruct her in her Mission as a "spokesperson" and to comfort her in a painful period because of the adversity her work encountered within a religious order that should have sheltered and protected her. They also address all Souls who offer themselves as "victims" and are chosen as "voices." However, the themes addressed present doctrinal interest and spiritual value such that they are not tied to circumstances and are not limited to these sole recipients.

The composition of the lessons intertwines with that of other Valtortian works, which sometimes require postponing our notes. Particular attention has been paid to biblical citations, noted in the page margins and summarized in the final index. This second edition, published 35 years after the first—reprinted several times—has been edited respecting, with sober notes, the nature and goals of the angel’s lessons. The text was newly collected from the original manuscript.

Isola del Liri, March 14, 2007 - 110th anniversary of Maria Valtorta’s birth.

Emilio Pisani.

Preface to the French edition (2011)

The preface to the French reissue synthesizes the previous prefaces and emphasizes the referenced liturgical texts. They were modified with the 1970 reform, potentially causing a discrepancy with the angel’s commentaries.

"Maria Valtorta presents this summary as having been dictated by Azarias, her guardian angel. The infirm author wrote this book, as all others, in her bed, the notebook resting on her knees, with her own hand and in one go, without possessing or consulting adapted books, without corrections, without prior outline or any revision.

She wrote it between 1946 and 1947, a rather sad and difficult time for her, as appears or transpires here and there in this volume.

This present book consists essentially of a theological and spiritual commentary on fifty-eight festive Masses, which are found in the Missal reformed by order of the Council of Trent, promulgated by Saint Pius V in 1570 and updated by subsequent sovereign pontiffs; this Missal has now yielded to the one restored by the will of the Vatican II Ecumenical Council and promulgated by order of Paul VI in 1970.

The two Missals, as is well known, are substantially identical; however, the latest has added, moved, edited, or rewritten numerous prayers; it has introduced many other biblical readings, moved many of them, etc. However, as over time it will become increasingly difficult to find the Missals of Saint Pius X at home or in shops, the reader will find at the beginning of each commentary:

• - the title of each Mass;

• - the indication of the respective biblical passages of the introit, the epistle, the gradual or alleluia antiphon, the gospel, the offertory and the communion;

• - the respective texts of the oration, the secret and the post-communion."

Content Overview

Feb 24, 1946 - Sunday of Sexagesima

A teaching for God's extraordinary instruments. - Humility is one of the essential Virtues in extraordinary instruments. - By himself, Man is capable only of limited and highly imperfect Actions. - To be what one is and no more. - The angel of the Lord is like a gardener. - Lessons from Paul's rapture to the third heaven. - Against Satan’s malice, defenses are never enough. - God's power shows its full measure in weakness. - The archangel Raphael appears smiling to Maria Valtorta.

March 3, 1946 - Sunday of Quinquagesima

The Lord will not abandon Maria Valtorta, even if "men" were to excommunicate her. - The holy name of God protects those He exposes most. - Man could not endure even a perfect and complete vision of Paradise for a single moment. - Praise to God is necessary, especially for those He has placed as bridge between Himself and Humanity. - Teach me to do Your will. - You are the mystical granaries for spiritual famines.

March 10, 1946 - 1st Sunday of Lent

The Trinity - The true love of God - Jesus frees those He redeems - Eternal Life - Keep trust in God's Protection - Paul, master of evangelizers like Maria Valtorta - Dissemination of the work: Azarias predicts future difficulties.

March 17, 1946 - 2nd Sunday of Lent

Abandoned by men, but loved by Heaven and comforted by her Angels. - God loves His children with a maternal love - The company of saints has replaced the hostility of God’s Enemies - Faith like old Tobias in trial - Live in holiness and purity. - The power of Maria Valtorta’s work has also been acquired at the price of her sacrifice - Love always saves.

March 24, 1946 - 3rd Sunday of Lent

Description of Angels. - It was the archangel Gabriel - The Soul approaches with great jubilation the knowledge of the life of the heavens - Satan tried to trouble Maria Valtorta - Tell the truth in all circumstances. - The books she could have hidden. - Look to the Lord to avoid traps - You have friendships in Heaven. - Our virtue as Angels: only to glory in the obedient service of the Lord. - Angels must also exercise the Virtues of charity, humility, obedience, truth - Gabriel will tell you a terrible secret. - Angels respect the celestial hierarchy. - The vocation of spokespersons. - When someone loves with all their Heart, Soul and all their strength, they have loved perfectly by themselves. - Live in love as Christ who loved us. - Do not hesitate. - God's anger is on the unbelievers. - The archangel Gabriel entrusts the terrible secret that will remain sealed.

March 31, 1946 - 4th Sunday of Lent

Earthly Jerusalem is not cut off from Heavenly Jerusalem. - The Church is God's great dwelling on earth. - Those who, by their sacrifices and prayers, cooperate with the Father, cleanse the Waters of the Temple. - The contribution of holy works in the river of communion of saints. - To which the favored "voices" add their martyrdom. - You are the imprisoned Apostles. - You weep, but you will be comforted. - Like Abraham, God had a double descent. - Physical and moral purity of original Humanity. - Born according to the flesh and born according to the spirit. - Satan works where there are places without God. - God drives away your Enemies. - The supernatural sight and hearing of the "voices" allow them to know the most secret truths.

April 7, 1946 - Passion Sunday

Like the Apostles at Gethsemane, Maria Valtorta has fallen asleep. - But Jesus is present, and watches over the Souls living their passion. - Passion Sunday is the Mass of victim Souls. - The guilty man does not dare to say boldly "Be my judge, oh God." - Great sinners and atheists flee before God. - Only honest Souls can cry out "Be my judge, oh God." - What you receive must be offered to the one who gives it to you. - What had value in the eyes of God was your suffering. - One can know pain when one has union with God. - How sweet it must be for you to say to God your Father, "Be my judge!" - Good men will remember you as a light. - Victim Souls are God's privileged children. - Because of what you cost Him, do not doubt His love. - In the new Covenant, God Himself elects His instruments who receive, by Jesus Christ’s promise, the eternal inheritance. - Conform yourself to your Master. - God took you to make you the instrument of a work of great mercy. - "Other Christs" have in common the passion and crucifixion, but also the resurrection. - Disobedience to Jesus’ explicit orders causes me great pain.

April 14, 1946 - Palm Sunday

The oasis of Elim and the gift of the Church. - The Eucharist - Neither sacrilege nor lukewarmness - Maria Valtorta conformed to Christ - Trust and Protection of God - The cry of suffering: Why have You abandoned me? - The wounds and fears of victim Souls - Human perfection - The double perfection of Christ - Futility of scientific explanation of God or His nonexistence - The reward of victim Souls lies in their extraordinary gifts - You will be given a new name.

April 21, 1946 - Easter, Feast of the Resurrection

Having the Lord with you is having the certainty of being helped and the Peace of not having deserved otherwise. - Lord, You search me and You know me. - The destiny of those who are set apart. - Sanctifying humiliation. - Union with the merits of Christ. - One must purify oneself of the old Leaven. - At Easter, God's eternal power and mercy shine in all their splendor. - A gift from Heaven is not definitively acquired. - He disperses the proud and raises the humble. - Forgive him who speaks without knowing what he says, him who judges without the right.

April 28, 1946 - Sunday in albis (currently Divine Mercy Sunday)

Those born of Grace are also infants - As are the voices Jesus calls following Maria Valtorta - Through Maria Valtorta, you are children of Light and friends of Jesus – You must be like small children - To frequent does not mean to practice - The fornications of false piety - All born of God overcomes the world - The power of Faith - Our era has everything it needs to Believe - It is indeed Jesus who came by water and blood - The testimony given by God cannot be denied - The world is full of unbelievers - God's works endure and bear Fruit.

May 5, 1946 - 2nd Sunday "after" Easter (currently 3rd Sunday of Easter)

The earth is full of the mercy of the Lord. - It is a barrier Against Evil. - But it remains ineffective for the proud. - How can so many men persist in a deafness not found even in inferior beings? - The separated brothers. What attitude to adopt? - Only those who have understood and desire wisdom and holiness love to suffer. - The Disciples recognized the Lord when he broke the bread. - Oh! Christians, see and understand beyond your usual limits! - He who does not know how to break himself and give himself cannot be a true disciple. - You should not grieve over Trials, sorrows, anxieties. - You have within you the key to the secret. - Maria! I bless you for all you do for Souls!

May 12, 1946 - 3rd Sunday "after" Easter (currently 4th Sunday of Easter)

Man is the only creature who does not know how to praise his Creator. - Too many men forget they exist only because God sustains them. - Believing themselves creators, men sow hatred, ruin and death. - Can this avalanche produced by men without God be stopped by man himself? - The coming of the Paraclete at Pentecost. - The head is the pinnacle of Man, too often hardened by triple concupiscence. - Extraordinary gifts should not have been a cause of ruin as with Judas. - Shun carnal desires from your mind. - Submission to human institutions and its limits. - Obedience to Authority. - Mary, queen of "voices," is your queen.

May 19, 1946 - 4th Sunday "after" Easter (currently 5th Sunday of Easter)

Some say: God does not exist, man is God! - Only men made in the image of God can see His wonders. - To see God's hand in Trials. - Death is sometimes divine mercy. - One does not mock God with impunity. - The just can distinguish God's action who draws good from evil. - If God has drawn you to Him to entrust you a Mission among men, He cannot then abandon you or change His decree. - Jesus never changed His Heart toward His chosen ones, not even toward Judas. - It is Judas who changed his Heart and voluntarily damned himself. - Withdraw into yourself, with your great Treasure and your small treasure: God and the Work. - For you and the Work the Spirit will act in His time.

May 26, 1946 - 5th Sunday "after" Easter (currently 6th Sunday of Easter)

The Virgin Mary comes to comfort Maria Valtorta in her sufferings. - God knows what is best for me - Why Maria Valtorta was entrusted to the Servites - Maria Valtorta and her work is like Mary finding closed doors in Bethlehem - Redemption is unevenly Homelie - The greater the degree of generosity, the greater the union with God - Man has no other merit than good will - Obedience consists in humbling one's own judgment - Put faith into practice - Prudence and charity towards brothers - The ministry of priests alongside the "instruments of God" - The "voices" are the stars of the spiritual sky.

June 2, 1946 - Sunday after the Ascension

All of Maria’s prayer consists in seeking God face to face. - The Our Father teaches how, why, and for what purpose one must pray. - Perfect prayer aligns with God's desires. - A loving Soul must be on earth what it will be in Heaven. - The value of "Father, why have You abandoned me?" - Abandonment by God is the greatest trial for the living and the greatest punishment for the dead. - Do not get discouraged but act and love obeying the Lord. - Explanation of "Love covers a multitude of sins." - Fear failing charity more than sudden death or God’s judgment. - Explanation of "Let each one use the gift he has received for the service of others." - "Voices" cannot appropriate the words they receive. - Instructions for her spiritual Father.

June 9, 1946 - Pentecost Sunday

God’s "epiphanies" - By love man can truly be in God - Fruitful works are always works of love - You will see who God is. - Manifestations of the Father. - God’s deniers cannot create, only fabricate. - Men, blessed or damned, are eternal. - Two kingdoms will have no end: Paradise and Hell. - Theophanies. - The Holy Spirit manifests in Mary, then in the Church. - The re-creation of Man by the Holy Spirit. - To deserve Love, every Soul must desire it of free will. - Obedience and prayer transform nothings into instruments of God. - Prayer unites the Heart of the creature to that of her God. - Pentecost in its preparation, form and effects. - Remain unshakable under praises as you were under blows.

June 16, 1946 - 1st Sunday after Pentecost – Feast of The Holy Trinity

I want you to consider the many Sundays between Pentecost and Advent as a preparation of the liturgical year. - There is no end to the liturgical year because each of its parts prepares the next. - Courageously proclaim that God "is". - The prayers of the proven believer. - Faith, to be true, must be courageous. - The Unity and Trinity of God is a mystery that no one, however holy, can understand. - Remain united to God. - Charity is active. - Azarias comforts Maria wounded by the attitude of Father Migliorini.

June 20, 1946 - Thursday after Trinity, Feast of God

Maria Valtorta understands what the Eucharist is in Heaven - You also nourish yourselves from the Mother by nourishing from the Son - One cannot approach the Eucharist without fear - Christ makes us God by the Eucharist and gives us Life - The Eucharist establishes the dwelling of Christ in us - The Eucharist makes Christ present in all His operations as Christ - The power of the Eucharist - The Eucharist contains Heaven within itself - The "Lauda Sion" of Saint Thomas Aquinas - The music of Heaven and the teaching received by Maria Valtorta.

In-depth research on God, faith, religious Doctrine.

In a Christian sense, study concerning God and divine things in the light of Revelation.

Second part of the Bible, from the coming of Jesus Christ until the Apocalypse.