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Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich
Image: Gabriel von Max · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich

Westphalian Augustinian nun, reported stigmatic, whose visions Brentano recorded

Rank
Blessed
Kind
Mystic, Religious
Life
1774 – 1824
Era
19th century
Feast
9 February
Countries
Germany
Germany

Life story

She was born on 8 September 1774 at Flamschen near Coesfeld in Westphalia, into a poor farming family with nine siblings. She worked on farms and trained as a seamstress. Several times she asked to enter a convent and was refused because she had no sizable dowry. In 1802 she entered the Augustinian convent of Agnetenberg at Dülmen with her friend Klara Söntgen, and she took her vows the following year. She was often ill, and some of the sisters doubted her sincerity.

The convent was suppressed during the Napoleonic period (in 1811 or 1812, depending on the source), and she had to find lodging elsewhere in Dülmen. From 1813 she was bedridden, and the stigmata were reported during these years. Church authorities opened an inquiry that included Overberg, the vicar general and three physicians. In 1819 a government committee observed her for several weeks; according to the sources they found no evidence of fraud, though opinions remained divided.

The poet Clemens Brentano met her and recorded her visions from about 1818 or 1819 until her death; he published The Dolorous Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ in 1833. Scholars later concluded that much of the text reflects Brentano's own writing, and the Holy See did not vouch for the authenticity of the books when she was beatified. She died on 9 February 1824 in Dülmen. Pope John Paul II beatified her on 3 October 2004.

Works and witness

  • Entered the Augustinian convent of Agnetenberg at Dülmen in 1802 and took vows in 1803
  • Bedridden from 1813; reported to have borne the stigmata
  • Examined by church and government inquiries
  • Her visions were recorded by Brentano and published in 1833
  • Died on 9 February 1824; beatified on 3 October 2004

Saints from the same country

Saint Ambrose, Saint Hildegard of Bingen, Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein), Saint Bruno of Cologne

References

  • Vatican, 'Anna Katharina Emmerick (1774-1824), biography' (beatification, 3 Oct 2004)
  • Catholic Encyclopedia, 'Ven. Anne Catherine Emmerich' (New Advent)

Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.