Father Gabriel M. Roschini and Maria Valtorta

Father Gabriel M. Roschini (1900-1977)

This philosopher, theologian, hagiographer, mariologist, author of 130 works, writes in the preface of his book "The Virgin Mary in the work of Maria Valtorta":

Whoever wants to know the Holy Virgin in perfect harmony with the Second Vatican Council, the Holy Scriptures, and the Tradition of the Church, must draw from Valtortian Mariology […] for The Virgin Mary in the work of Maria Valtorta is the most important of my books... the mariology that emerges from the published and unpublished writings of Maria Valtorta was for me a true discovery. No other Marian writing, not even the sum of all that I have read and studied, had been able to give me such a clear, vivid, complete, luminous, and fascinating idea about Mary, masterpiece of God, at once simple and sublime, as the writings of Maria Valtorta.

In this work, he ranks Maria Valtorta among "the eighteen principal (Marian) mystics of ancient and modern times."

This book was the subject of a letter of congratulations from the Secretariat of State, the highest authority of the Vatican. It explicitly mentions the support of Pope Paul VI.

His life

Father Roschini was born in Caste Sant'Elia, province of Viterbo, in 1900. He died in Rome on September 12, 1977, on the Feast of the Holy Name of Mary, which is a heavenly wink for this man who dedicated his life and work to the Most Holy Mother of God.

He was a priest of the Order of the Servants of Mary and considered one of the great mariologists[2]. He was one of the experts at the Second Vatican Council.

He published 900 titles of all kinds, mainly on the Virgin Mary. He is known for publishing a reference work "The Masterpiece of God" (Il capolavoro di Dio - 1933), a Marian encyclopedia in four volumes.

Ordained a priest at 24, doctor of philosophy and sacred theology, Father Gabriel M. Roschini founded at 39 the mariology review "Marianum", then, on November 30, 1950, the Faculty of Theology of the same name. It became "pontifical" on December 8, 1955, by decree "cœlesti Honorandae Reginae" of the Sacred Congregation of Seminaries and Universities. He was a consultant for the Holy Office where he defended Maria Valtorta after initially being cautious.

In 1973, he presided over the transfer of Maria Valtorta’s remains from Viareggio to Florence, in the Chapel of Santissima Annunziata, entrusted to the Servites of Mary, and published "The Virgin Mary in the writings of Maria Valtorta", a notable apology from such an authority.

He was initially doubtful about Maria Valtorta and her work

He admits later: without being hostile, he was not immediately convinced by the work of Maria Valtorta introduced to him by his brothers in the Servite order: Father Romualdo Migliorini (died 1953) and Father Corrado Berti.

He wrote on August 27, 1946:

At the request of the Superior General, I have examined the first volume of the work (which could be entitled: "On the margins of the Gospel"), from the conception of the Most Holy Mary to the public life of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and I found nothing contrary to faith and morals. On the contrary, I found a breath of great spirituality and a power of reconstructing Gospel scenes quite remarkable. Thus, printing should be authorized on the following conditions:

1 – it must be clearly stated that only human faith should be accorded to what is said there and that the reconstruction is human.

2 – all that, explicitly or equivalently, refers to a divine origin of the work, an origin that is not witnessed, should be removed, just as there are no elements in favor of it.

3 – all the indicated corrections suggested by prudence, etc., must be made.

(Translation maria-valtorta.org – 2010).

In 1949, he made a courtesy visit to Maria Valtorta in Viareggio. He was not particularly moved.

In Rome, he followed the vicissitudes of his confreres struggling to publish the work and sometimes gave advice.

Recalling the relations maintained by the Prefect of the Congregation for Religious Life, Mgr Alexis Lépicier, also a Servite of Mary, and the publishing company Michele Pisani, he sent Father Berti to them and made sure to inquire about the progress of the publications beyond the placing of the work on the Index by the Holy Office (of which he was also a member but did not participate in the condemnation).

One afternoon in August 1972, returning from vacation in a convent in the Dolomites, he knocked on the door of Maria Valtorta’s house in Viareggio where he met Marta Dicotti, Maria Valtorta’s surviving confidant, as well as the Pisani couple who happened to be present.

He confirmed his wish to study thoroughly, day and night, the work of Maria Valtorta which had captivated and moved him.

The following year, he published "La Madonna negli scritti di Maria Valtorta" (The Virgin Mary in the writings of Maria Valtorta) in which he confesses that no other writing has given him "such a clear, vivid, complete, luminous, and fascinating idea" of Mary, masterpiece of God, as those of Maria Valtorta whom he calls "one of the 18 greatest mystics of all time".

It is good to know, he writes in the preface to his book, that I was not a spontaneous admirer of Maria Valtorta. Indeed, I too was, for a time, among those who, without adequate knowledge of her writings, were content with a smile of suspicion. But after reading and studying them, I had to, like many others, honestly admit having been too hasty, and come to this conclusion: whoever wants to know the Holy Virgin (a Virgin in perfect harmony with the ecclesiastical magisterium, particularly with the Second Vatican Council, the Holy Scriptures, and the Tradition of the Church) must draw from Valtortian Mariology!

Apology of Maria Valtorta's work

Father Roschini’s apologetic book was sent to Pope Paul VI.

When he was only Cardinal Montini in charge of the Milan diocese, the future pope had had the opportunity to read the first of the initial four volumes of the work of Maria Valtorta. He later ordered it for the library.

The introduction, from which we just quoted a passage, is unambiguous about what the eminent theologian discovered:

I have been involved in mariology for half a century: through study, teaching, preaching, and writing.

I have had to read countless Marian writings of all kinds: a true Marian library.

But I feel obliged to candidly confess that the mariology emerging from the published and unpublished writings of Maria Valtorta was a true discovery for me. No other Marian writing, not even the sum of all that I have read and studied, was able to give me on Mary, masterpiece of God, such a clear, vivid, complete, luminous, and fascinating idea, both simple and sublime, as the writings of Maria Valtorta.

Between the Virgin Mary presented by me and my colleagues (mariologists) and the Virgin Mary of Maria Valtorta, it seems to me there is the same difference as between a cardboard Madonna and a living Madonna, between a more or less approximate Madonna and a complete Madonna in all her components and all her aspects.

For this fundamental reason, in the exposition of the mariology of the Valtortian writings, I preferred to give almost exclusively the floor to Maria Valtorta herself, limiting my action to grouping what she wrote in several places when it was necessary. Where others may see in my approach a weakness, I like to see a great value.

The approval of Saint Paul VI

Letter to Father Roschini from the Secretariat of State dated January 17, 1974

On January 17, 1974, the Secretariat of State, the highest Vatican authority, transmitted thanks from Pope Paul VI:

SECRETARIAT OF STATE

From the Vatican, January 17, 1974

Reverend Father,

In a delicate and respectful intention, you have kindly wished to send the Sovereign Pontiff a copy of your latest book: "The Virgin Mary in the writings of Maria Valtorta."

Appreciating your piety and zeal, of which this publication is a clear proof, and the precious result, the Holy Father warmly thanks you for your new testimony of pious homage and expresses the hope that your efforts bear abundant spiritual fruits.

With his paternal sentiments and as a pledge of the graces of the Divine Redeemer, His Holiness willingly gives you the Apostolic Blessing.

Very grateful for your good wishes and for the specimen you kindly sent me, I gladly take this opportunity to assure you of my sincere and religious devotion.

G. Benelli

Further reading

• Valtortian Mariology according to Father Roschini
• Private revelations according to Father Roschini

Author who writes about the life and deeds of saints.

The branch of Christian theology that studies what concerns Mary, mother of Jesus Christ, her place in the mystery of the salvation of the world, always in connection with the mystery of Christ.

The branch of Christian theology that studies what concerns Mary, mother of Jesus Christ, her place in the mystery of the salvation of the world, always in connection with the mystery of Christ.

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

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

Writing that defends a Doctrine against criticism, objections, or doubts.

Writing that defends a Doctrine against criticism, objections, or doubts.