Vassula Ryden

{{Christianity}}
'''Vassula Ryden''' is a former professional tennis player and model who claims to receive personal messages from [[Jesus]]. 

== Career ==

Ryden is author of a series of Christian books entitled ''True Life in God'' which she alleges contain direct messages from angels, saints, and Jesus Christ himself. Ryden says that Jesus dictates the messages to her and guides her hand to write them down using really fancy calligraphy. Some early drafts of the messages contain mistakes. She attributes her subsequent corrections to Jesus changing his mind, or asking her to copyedit his messages.<ref>Joe Nickell, [http://www.csicop.org/si/show/heavens_stenographer_the_guided_hand_of_vassula_ryden Heaven’s Stenographer: The ‘Guided’ Hand of Vassula Ryden] Csicop.org</ref><ref>Francois-Marie Dermine, O.P., [http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=10013 Vassula Rydén: the Reasons for the Church's Negative Reaction] CatholicCulture.org</ref>
 
Ryden is revered by her followers as 'God's messenger'. Many of them believe she predicted the [[9/11|9/11 attacks]] because one of her messages contained the rather vague phrase, "every evil built into towers will collapse".<ref>[http://www.scotsman.com/news/mystic-who-foresaw-9-11-heads-for-city-1-1067509 Mystic 'who foresaw 9/11' heads for city] Scotsman.com, 6 September 2005</ref> The [[Roman Catholic]] church issued a number of official statements that warned faithful Catholics that Ryden was not "officially" receiving messages from God.<ref>Larry B. Stammer, [http://articles.latimes.com/2006/jan/10/local/me-visionary10 L.A. Cathedral Disinvites Christian Unity Event] Los Angeles Times</ref> Ryden's organization claims the Church warnings are outdated, exaggerated, or not legitimate -- and that the Vatican privately assured her they believe she's really, truly in touch with Jesus, but can't say so in public.<ref>[http://www.tlig.org/en/testimonies/churchpos/ True Life In God] Ryden's organization</ref> Ryden does not take criticism well. She's personally initiated legal action to shut down web sites questioning her ability to talk to God.<ref>[http://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=14282 Legal action by Vassula Ryden shuts down critical web site] CatholicCulture.org </ref>

== Messages ==
Some of Ryden's conversations with Jesus concern her household chores...

{{Rquote|Left|
:Jesus, I think we will have to rush!
:'''Where to?'''
:Downstairs, check the oven. 
:(May 16, 1987).
|4=[http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=10013]}} 

Others are a bit more steamy...

{{cquote|
:'''Do you know how much I love you?''' 
:Yes I do Jesus.
:'''Why then do you refuse My kiss? [...] Vassula, have I not told you before not to refuse Me anything? And what have you answered me?'''
:That I’ll never refuse you anything.
:'''Yes, why then refuse My kiss; Vassula, never refuse Me; if I ask you something it is out of love, allow Me to kiss you, allow Me to do it! Will you let Me now? Come to Me and feel My kiss, a heavenly kiss on your forehead, are you ready?'''
:(March 19, 1987)|4=[http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=10013]}}

== See also ==
*[[Prophet]]

== External links ==
* [http://www.tlig.org/en/messages/mobile True Life in God Mobile App] "Read all the TLIG messages on your iPhone, wherever you are."
* [http://www.pseudomystica.info Christian website critical of Ryden]

==References==
{{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ryden, Vassula}}

[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Religious leaders]]

Categories: Living people, Religious leaders