Feast of Saint Peter in Chains[On August 1st, the Catholic Church commemorates the miraculous liberation of Saint Peter from the prison in Jerusalem, when, according to the Acts of the Apostles, an angel broke his chains. On this occasion, the Maria Valtorta Heritage Foundation offers a passage from the Work of Maria Valtorta, in which — already during the first year of Jesus’ public life — the Lord foretells the martyrdom of Saint Peter and the other apostles]
Maria Valtorta writes:
Jesus, Who has allowed them to speak among themselves, comes in: «Before long in all known areas of the world, the saints happy to die for such fidelity to Grace and for the love of God will be as thick as flowers on a meadow in April.»
«Really? Oh! I would like to greet those saints and say to them: “Pray for poor Simon of Jonas!”» says Peter.
Jesus looks steadfastly at him smiling.
«Why are You looking at me like that?»
«Because you will see them as their assistant and you will see them when they assist you.»
«For what, Lord?»
«To become the Stone consecrated by the Sacrifice, on which My Testimony will be celebrated and built.»
«I do not understand You.»
«You will understand.»
The other disciples, who have come near and have listened, talk among themselves.
Jesus turns round: «I solemnly tell you that you will all be tested by one torture or another. For the time being it is the renunciation of comfort, of affections, of material profit. Afterwards it will be a greater and greater thing, up to the sublime thing that will crown you with an immortal diadem. Be faithful. And you will all be faithful. And that is what you will have.»
«Will the Jews, the Sanhedrin, perhaps kill us because of our love for You?»
«Jerusalem washes the thresholds of its Temple in the blood of its Prophets and its Saints. But also the world is waiting to be washed… There are many temples of dreadful gods. They will, in the future, be temples of the true God, and the leprosy of paganism will be cleansed by the lustral water made with the blood of martyrs.»
«Oh! Most High God! Lord! Master! I am not worthy of so much! I am so weak! Afraid of evil! Oh! Lord!… Either send Your useless servant away or give me strength. I would not like to shame You with my cowardice.» Peter has thrown himself at the feet of the Master and He truly implores Him with heartfelt words.
«Stand up, My dear Peter. Do not be afraid. You still have a long way to go… and the time will come when you will wish only to endure your final trial. And then you will have everything, both from Heaven and from yourself. I will be looking at you full of admiration.»
«You say so… and I believe it. But I am such a poor man!»
(Maria Valtorta, “The Gospel as Revealed to Me”, 103.2)