Once I Was Blind But Now I See

07/14/2021

I just got in an order of my books, for those who have requested copies. They are $14 each. Please respond to this post if you wish to get copies.

11/18/2018

My book is getting rave reviews from being used as an evangelistic tool.

07/12/2017

06/24/2017

One of my book reviews.

Charles, I just finished reading your book. I loved the candid stories and the Miracles that you describe. Your faithfulness to your journey is to your credit. I told Sylvia that she needs to read the book next; she promised that she would. I will look forward to our discussion when she finishes the book.
Your closing remarks are clear about the nature of humankind and sin; willful disobedience, but still on the journey. Thank you for your persistence in getting your story published, it is a blessing. Give my best to Mary.

Jerry Taylor

06/24/2017

Some of my Book Reviews.

Hi Charles, I just got through reading your book and wanted to let you know how I truly enjoyed it. I only wish that I was fluent enough to let you know how much it meant to me as I totally relate to the first half. I feel that every man should read this and I can bet that most of them would say the same thing. The second half reminds me of how little we listen to our Lord as he speaks to us each day in many different ways. We just have to learn to listen with our eyes, ears, and thoughts. He speaks to us through friends, family and sometimes the not so friendly. Your book has given me the desire to start listening again. I pray that I can. I was so impressed that I bought 4 more books through Amazon today to share with friend and family. May God continue to Bless you as you have Blessed so many with your words and the writing of this book.

Ken Oranato
Oregon

06/21/2017

Review by and Amazon Customer:

Compelling, riveting books are rare these days. Most of the time, when I review books, I am reading content written by very good writers who are able to articulate their premises thoroughly. They introduce new concepts to the reader quite well, and they elaborate with thoughtful reflections and relevant anecdotes.

But do they grip my heart? Sometimes. Do they change my life dramatically? Rarely.

In Charles Piccirilli's memoir, Once I Was Blind But Now I See, I was captivated from the beginning. You see, the world is in a state of tumult, confusion, and despair. The world continues to tell us that seeking pleasure, power and prestige are the antidotes to such darkness. But Piccirilli reminds us that it is God who liberates. It is God alone who frees us from the darkness of sin.

Piccirilli is honest about his journey from the slavery of various sins, including addiction and the occult, to authentic life in Christ. The power of the Holy Spirit is evident as he describes very ordinary situations that God clearly inserted His voice into. How refreshing to be reminded that God loves us each individually, that He died for me! Piccirilli demonstrates that truth in his story, which is woven with brokenness turned into wholeness.

06/21/2017

This is a story written by Kimberly Cook. It really touched my heart and purpose for writing this book.

HOW IT ALL STARTED

I have known Charles Piccirilli since just after High School. At that time I was a real mess – a feminist, romanticized anarchist, searching desperately for God.

The guy I was dating at the time worked for Charles and had heard many of his miraculous stories of divine encounters. Although my boyfriend was a doubting agnostic, he knew that my philosophical search for the supernatural would certainly be intrigued by this fine specimen of spirituality.

Curious, I agreed to meet my boyfriend’s boss. I walked into the graphic design firm and brushed a pink lock of hair out of my eye, which was heavily enhanced with black eyeliner. My attitude certainly preceded me as I skeptically introduced myself.

The conversation that ensued is hard to describe. Although we spoke at some length, it was much more internal than it was verbal – in which God moved in my heart. What struck me the most was the way that Charles seemed to see right past my guarded exterior, to the gentle soul within me. His smile seemed to pierce me, and I remember him revealing things about me – my struggles and my search for God – deep things I had shared with no one.

He then told me how beautiful I was and how much I was truly loved. Those words shattered me. Normally, if someone said that to me, I would scoff in disbelief and dismiss it as a mockery. Yet, I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that he was genuine, and that the love he spoke of came from something much bigger than all of us. Warm tears streamed down my cheeks as walls crashed down within me.

That was just the beginning, as I had so many unanswered questions brimming. Charles invited me to bring anyone and everyone I knew who had questions to the community center he was a part of. I took him up on that offer, and with me came an army of misfits. We sat collected at a table and came at him like a firing squad. But Charles melted them all like ice – even the most motley of them. The truth just crumbled the hate within us.

THE MINISTRY

This began a ministry to young adults started by Charles and I, called Straight Forward – Seeking Truth Together. For many years that ministry thrived and we saw many questions answered and lives changed through it. I was radically changed through those years as well. I went from antagonist to disciple. Christ was real and accessible and I began to experience the moving of mountains all around me, and especially within me. I was filled with love and joy – feelings that had been long estranged from me.

My life-changing experience is just one of many whose lives have crossed paths with Charles throughout the years. In fact, so many miraculous events have surrounded his encounters with others, that he has been asked time and again to share his stories in print. After many years, he has finally agreed.

THE BOOK: ONCE I WAS BLIND BUT NOW I SEE

I am so incredibly blessed to have been the one to write this book with Charles, and I pray that the stories are as effective in the text as they are in person! Perhaps what I have been most influenced by is the simple philosophy to see God’s love in all circumstances. Many times I find myself growing angry, frustrated, or resentful. Perhaps I am feeling sorry for myself, and wondering why something bad is happening to me. It is in these moments that it strikes me that God is actually loving me in some way through this small crisis. I then turn to God and ask what he is doing in my life, or why he is allowing something to happen to me.

Charles shares his often funny upbringing, with an overbearing Italian mother. He shares his dabbling with the occult, which follows him in the background of his life through many years. He tells of the first time he heard God speak to him and how he met his wife and the comical and tragic stories of their first years of marriage. Then the reader is mesmerized by the wild ride God takes Charles on, as he re-introduces him to Christianity through the Charismatic movement and eventually the Catholic Church!

HOW WILL YOU BE CHANGED?

Laugh, cry, and pick your jaw up off the ground in disbelief as the goose bumps run up and down your arms. I hope you read and are truly changed by this book, but most of all I hope that through it, you also learn to see God’s love in all circumstances.

Kimberly Cook

06/15/2017

This event in scripture best describes my life before I met Christ and after He revealed himself to me.

I was blind but now I see Jesus of Nazareth

05/31/2017

This book is now available for sale on Amazon.com. If you want to understand more of how the Holy Spirit works in a person's life, this book is for you. Once you purchase your copy, please write a review on Amazon to let others hear of how this book has grown your faith. My new website will be up on June 1st at: www.spiritusanctopress.com

Once I Was Blind, But Now I See is a book written for all Christians, to give testimony to God's ever-present hand in our lives. For those who are outside the Christian faith, outside the Catholic Church, or simply feeling distant and questioning if God is really here, I believe this book will tr...