Saint Anne Catherine Emmerich

By Crusader1307

 This unusual Case involves a Catholic Nun from Munster, Westphalia. Born in 1774 – Anne Catherine Emmerich was a simple person who began to experience preternatural events which still resonate today. From a poor Farming Family, Anne's only prospect for a future life was to serve in The Catholic Church – in particular as a Nun for The Poor Clares. But Anne was rejected several times due to Her inability to provide the needed Dowry to join. However, The Prioress was impressed with Her determination, and made Her a deal. If Anne could learn to play The Organ (of which The Sisters needed), Anne could join. Anne and another friend, went to Munster and were taken in by a Parish Priest who began to teach them both how to play. He even paid Anne for Her Sunday Mass performances. But Anne's friend was poor as well. Anne sacrificed Her saving and gave it to the girl. She never joined The Poor Clares. However, The Priest arranged for Anne to join The Augustine Sisterhood, of which She was shirved to at age 28. Anne became one of the most dedicated Sisters to Her Order. But soon, ''things'' began to happen.

Anne began to suffer ''visions'' (often quite religious and direct), and involved most often – visions of Jesus Christ. These revelations disturbed some of the older Sisters, who felt Anne may be ''making them up for attention''. But in 1813, Anne began to experience the ''Stigmata Phenomenon''. Anne's hands, feet and head all bleed from wounds which imitated the same suffered by Christ during His Passion. These marks were examined by several Clergy, both locally and from Rome. Soon, Anne developed a curious ''Y'' shape on Her breastbone. This symbol resembled an old Cross atop The Chapel at Coesfeld. It was unclear as to why anne ''developed'' this strange symbol on Her skin.

Anne took to Her Cell (Room) and bed in 1819. She suffered from long bouts of comatose periods from which Anne seemed to become almost trance-like. Her Spiritual Examiner, Clemens Brentano, began to write the musing of Anne in this ''state''. What Anne related (over a period of months) – was a fantastic tale, by which Anne ''claimed'' to have been transported back in time, to witness Christ's later life (Ministry, Betrayal and eventual execution at the hands of Rome). Her details were exceptional (owing to Anne's rather poor education). This dictations were sent to Rome for The Pope to examine. Anne would die from her ''unconfirmed'' illness (some cite Tuberculous) in 1824 at only 49. Anne was put up for possible Sainthood in 1892 (based on several cases of medical miracles). However it was not until 2004 that Anne was ''made'' a Saint. The long cause – Her ''visions''.

The many writings made by Brentano at Anne's bed, would be eventually made into a religious book (consisting of several volumes), known as ''The Life of Jesus Christ and Biblical Revelations'' (1899). While many state the books are quite ''accurate'', some Church Leaders state that owing to Anne's ''delirious state'' (fever), they cannot be taken as ''accurate''. This despite Anne's stigmata – slowed Her advancement to Sainthood. In fact, Pope John Paul II – upon elevating Her, stated that her ''books'' should be viewed as ''popular piety'' and not ''religious revelations''. However, Anne's ''books'' would we read by thousands (Catholics and Protestants), for decades. In fact, Emmerich's books would inspire Actor, Director and Producer Mel Gibson, to create His Award winning Film ''The Passion of The Christ'' in 2003.