If direct prayer to Jesus and God is a source of peace and meaning for you, then this practice is of central importance for your religious life. However, religious orientation is not exclusively an individual matter, but takes place within a communicative context that is shaped by traditions and lore.

In this context, the "Little Blue Book" fulfills a mediating function by facilitating access to Jesus and the divine Father for many people. Christian tradition also points to the importance of mediation: John, the apostle particularly loved by Christ, was entrusted to his mother Mary before the resurrection of Jesus.

The Blue Book offers a structure of orientation and stability in various situations in life. Although Marian devotion is discussed critically in some communities, this does not alter its theological and spiritual significance. As the mother of Jesus Christ, Mary's role is geared towards leading people to God and to Jesus. This can also be understood as an element of religious practice aimed at creating meaning and realizing a fulfilled life. The central question therefore remains in what form religious practice takes into account both the individual experience of faith and the collective spiritual tradition.

In my personal experience, I can answer this question unequivocally in the affirmative. Given the circumstances of my own life - the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, being wounded in an assassination attempt, my freedom despite worldwide legal persecution and the fact that I survived a global manhunt and brutal imprisonment - I am deeply grateful for my existence.

For me, this existential experience gives rise to a clear ethical obligation: to help those who find themselves in difficult, seemingly hopeless situations. As convincing meta-studies (e.g. McCullough, Koenig) show, faith and a life shaped by it are associated with positive effects on health. Other studies also indicate that believers experience a higher level of satisfaction.

However, Mary's messages are not limited to those who are in existential need. People who are comparatively well off can also experience orientation and a sense of purpose through her. Everyone has abilities and tasks in this life - but the basic ethical attitude remains central: to love regardless of contractual conditions or expectations and to do good and meaningful things.

The critical attitude towards religion and faith is understandable, especially in a world characterized by scientific rationality and secular structures. Nevertheless, the experiences of many people show that religious messages - especially those of Mary - can convey a deep existential meaning, even to those who have initially distanced themselves from any form of faith.

Numerous people who rejected all teachings of God have found meaning, support, happiness and peace in their lives through Mary's messages. One of the central pioneers of this association grew up in an atheistic household himself, and yet without him this community would be unthinkable.

My many years of experience show that not only Christians, but also atheists, agnostics, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus and Jews have discovered Mary's messages for themselves - and that many of them have achieved a more fulfilling life as a result. In fact, I would say that at least half of the people around me who use the Little Blue Book either come from a different faith or had no previous religious beliefs.

I myself am an example of this development: for decades, I was regarded in the media as the "Antichrist of the financial world" - a label Erich Sixt once gave me. And yet my path ultimately led me to a deeper dimension of existence that can be located beyond mere religious dogma. This is not about blind faith, but about the question of which perspectives and experiences can enable a more fulfilling, meaningful life.

Not at all. Our aim is to spread the messages of Mary, the mother of Jesus. The original English version of the Little Blue Book was published with the ecclesiastical attestation Nihil Obstat which means that it does not contradict the teachings of the Catholic Church. In fact, it contains calls to prayer, to Mass and to the use of the rosary. Nevertheless, the language of the book remains accessible, non-dogmatic and understandable for everyone.

Our non-profit association is also actively involved in helping disadvantaged mothers and children. The criteria that typically define a sect - such as closed structures, missionary pressure or economic dependencies - do not apply here (See definition of "sect" in Wikipedia: Link). There are no compulsory meetings, no recruitment of followers, no exclusion of agnostics, atheists or people of other faiths. In purely economic terms, there are neither fees nor compulsory payments. So far, not a single cent has been used for salaries.

Nevertheless, one could argue historically that early Christianity was itself a sect at the time of Jesus, insofar as it differed in its teachings from classical Judaism. Today, Christianity is firmly institutionalized in Germany, including church tax and official recognition. Our approach, on the other hand, is defined by good deeds, tolerance and charity - free of institutional dependencies or binding obligations.

Then you are in a privileged situation - consider yourself lucky and be grateful for it. But it is precisely from this position that you have the opportunity to share your skills and happiness with others. Perhaps your current situation is just a snapshot, because life is rarely linear and hardly a continuous upward movement towards lasting happiness.

Scientific studies show that giving, helping and experiencing meaning are fundamental sources for a fulfilled life. In this sense, Mary's messages are also relevant for you - not only as support for others, but also as guidance for your own life. And if you do find yourself confronted with challenges or crises one day, you already have a source of stability and support at your side.

Mary's messages have helped me and many others to experience happiness, hope, love and peace in our lives. As humans, we often tend to judge things with our limited rational minds, rather than using our emotional intelligence and personal experience. I felt similarly after my first encounter with these messages - I was skeptical and doubtful.

But through intensive study of the messages and their origins, I have changed my perspective. I was once an extremely unbelieving Thomas. Today, however, what counts for me above all is the content of these words, their recurring relevance in difficult as well as everyday moments. Mary's regular messages have become an indispensable point of reference for me. Without them, I would quickly fall back into old patterns, into a way of life that only revolves around money and power - and which ultimately does not make me happy.

It's the messages that matter, not the medium. In this sense, I myself am just an instrument - no more and no less. My job is to make these messages better known and to help people in need. This is a clear purpose for me - and I am grateful for it.

It came back in 2010 when a former Irish freedom fighter handed me the Little Blue Book in South America. At the time, I was looking for a real, fulfilling purpose in my life, which felt a bit muddled at the time. A lot has changed since then. My physical and mental health have improved considerably. Today I am there for others as a father and a good companion.

Serious threats, such as a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis or the prospect of 10 times life imprisonment in the USA, seem far less acute to me today. In any case, my life has changed fundamentally since then - I have become happier, healthier and more empathetic.

I do have contact with the diocese in Dublin, but this is rather limited. I have a more intensive exchange with the OLMOMAG community in England (www.olmomag.org), which I am regularly in touch with. Unfortunately, the website is currently only available in English, but it still contains valuable messages and perspectives that are relevant to many.

As far as the recording of the text is concerned, this process was triggered by various impulses and personal experiences. The author of the foreword is known to me, but the exact circumstances of her involvement in the publication of the text are overshadowed by other aspects of the project. It was primarily about spreading the messages and conveying the deeper meaning behind the phenomena and texts.

You will best be able to answer this question for yourself in prayer and reflection. The Little Blue Book and your own soul will give you the answer to this question. As long as you feel addressed inwardly and feel a deep sense of peace, it is very likely that you are doing the right thing. It's less about the number of copies you give away and more about the intention and the peace you experience. Trust your gut and act in accordance with what feels right for you.

The rosary prayer in the Blue Book suits me personally very well, as it offers a clear structure and at the same time leaves room for my own spirituality. There are different ways and versions of praying the rosary. However, the most important thing is not only the outer form of the prayer, but also the inner contact with Mary, God and Jesus. Equally important is your inner willingness to open yourself - to the messages and the connection that prayer makes possible.

It is about bringing your good will into the prayer and your daily thoughts so that you not only speak the words, but also establish a genuine, heartfelt connection. The rosary thus becomes an active process of inner contemplation and dialog with the divine.