Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich

Biography

Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich, also known as Anne Catherine Emmerick, was born on 8 September 1774 in Flamsche, a small village in the diocese of Munster, Westphalia, Germany. She was the daughter of poor but devoutly religious peasants. From a young age, she displayed a remarkable piety and suffered from various chronic health issues.

Anne Catherine experienced frequent visions and prophesies, which were so common to her that she assumed all children could see the Child Jesus and the souls in Purgatory. She possessed the ability to diagnose illnesses and recommend cures and was also granted the extraordinary gift of being able to see a person's sins.

Although she suffered from poor health, Anne Catherine worked diligently on her family's and other area farms and also served as a seamstress. She displayed a deep passion for music, especially the organ, which she studied while working as a servant for a poor organist.

In 1802, Anne Catherine entered the Augustinian convent at Agnetenberg in Dulmen, Germany. Despite her frail physical condition, she exhibited great enthusiasm for the religious life. However, her religious ecstasies, which often occurred in church, her cell, or while working, sometimes alienated her fellow sisters while also inspiring them.

In 1812, the convent was closed by government order, forcing Anne Catherine to live with a poor widow. Her health gradually deteriorated, and in 1813, she became a patient instead of working as a servant. It was during this time that her visions and prophesies intensified, and she received the stigmata – wounds on her hands and feet resembling those of Christ on the cross. She also suffered wounds on her head from the crown of thorns and had crosses marked on her chest. Additionally, she experienced the gift of inedia, living solely on Holy Communion for the remainder of her life.

Initially, Anne Catherine attempted to conceal her stigmata, but news of the miraculous wounds spread. Consequently, her vicar-general initiated a thorough investigation, which ultimately confirmed the authenticity of her stigmata.

In 1818, the stigmata ceased, but the following year, the government launched its own investigation, subjecting Anne Catherine to imprisonment, threats, coercion, and constant surveillance. However, despite these challenges, the commission failed to provide any evidence contradicting her claims. When forced to report, they declared the incident a fraud without offering substantial reasoning or publishing their findings.

During her lifetime, Anne Catherine met the poet Klemens Brentano, who had been sent to document her revelations. She prophesied Brentano's arrival before he visited, and he recorded her messages. These revelations were later published as The Dolorous Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to the Meditations of Anne Catherine Emmerich (1833). Subsequent publications included The Life of The Blessed Virgin Mary (1852) and a three-volume Life of Our Lord (1858-1880). Although these works primarily feature straightforward narratives and descriptions rather than spiritual ideas, they have inspired and encouraged many readers.

The Cause for Canonization of Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich was formally introduced on 14 November 1892. However, due to accusations regarding her vow of chastity, the investigation was temporarily halted on 30 November 1928. Fortunately, the accusations were proven false, leading to the resumption of the investigation on 18 May 1973.

Anne Catherine Emmerich, represented as a bed-ridden stigmatist, passed away on 9 February 1824 in Dülmen, Germany. Following rumors that her body had been stolen, her grave was opened six weeks after her death, revealing her incorrupt body. On 15 February 1975, her relics were transferred to Holy Cross Church in Dülmen, Germany. Pope John Paul II venerated her on 24 April 2001, and she was beatified by the same pope on 3 October 2004, with the decree of beatification miracle pronounced on 7 July 2003.