Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich

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Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich
Feast Day	February 09
Liturgical Class
Patronage
Birthplace	Flamschen, near Coesfeld, Diocese of Münster, Westphalia, German Confederation
Death Place	Dülmen, Westphalia, German Confederation
Cause of Death	natural causes
Primary Shrine	Holy Cross Church, Dülmen, Germany

Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich (German: Anna Katharina Emmerick; September 8, 1774 – February 9, 1824) was a German Augustinian canoness regular, mystic, visionary, and stigmatist whose detailed visions of biblical events influenced Catholic spirituality. Born in a farming community near Coesfeld, she entered the Augustinian convent in Dülmen in 1802, becoming bedridden from 1813 due to illness while bearing the stigmata and experiencing ecstasies. Her visions, recorded by poet Clemens Brentano, were published posthumously as The Dolorous Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ and The Life of the Blessed Virgin Mary, though the Church notes Brentano's editorial influence and bases her beatification solely on personal sanctity.

Beatified on October 3, 2004, by Pope John Paul II after recognition of heroic virtue, Anne Catherine's cause advanced without requiring miracles due to her mystical life. No canonization has occurred as of late 2025. Her feast day is February 9.

Biography

Birth

Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich was born Anna Katharina Emmerick on September 8, 1774, in the farming community of Flamschen near Coesfeld, Diocese of Münster, Westphalia, to poor but devout peasants Bernard Emmerich and Anne Hiller. The fifth of nine children, she was baptized the next day in the parish church of Saint James in Coesfeld.

From infancy, Anne Catherine experienced visions of angels and saints, though she kept them private. Her parents instilled strong Catholic faith amid the secularizing influences of late 18th-century Germany.

The rural setting fostered simplicity; the family attended Mass regularly despite poverty. Early health fragility hinted at her future suffering vocation.

These formative years grounded her in peasant piety that characterized her mysticism.

Early Life

Anne Catherine attended local school briefly, helping on the farm from childhood. She worked as a seamstress to support the family, practicing charity toward the poor.

Visions intensified in adolescence: she saw guardian angels and purgatorial souls. At age 12, she desired religious life but delayed due to family needs.

In 1802, at age 28, she entered the Augustinian Canonesses Regular in Dülmen after convent suppression challenges. The community valued her humility despite initial skepticism.

Novitiate formed her in regular observance; she professed vows in 1803. Assigned to sacristy and porter duties, she served joyfully.

Occupation

As canoness regular, Anne Catherine engaged in community prayer, manual labor, and porter service. Her health declined from 1812 convent closure by Napoleonic decree.

Bedridden from 1813, she became a focus of pilgrimage for visions and stigmata. Brentano recorded her accounts from 1818–1824.

Though invalid, her “occupation” was mystical intercession and spiritual direction for visitors. She offered sufferings for Church and souls.

Her life blended active service with contemplative victimhood.

Vocation

Anne Catherine's vocation was mystical union with Christ through suffering. Stigmata appeared in 1812–1813, confirmed by medical and ecclesiastical investigations.

Visions encompassed biblical scenes, saints' lives, and Church future. She practiced heroic obedience under scrutiny.

As bedridden invalid, her vocation became victim soul for sinners. She accepted pain with joy, seeing it as participation in Christ's Passion.

Her example inspired devotion to the Passion and Marian piety.

Death

By 1823, illness intensified; Anne Catherine received last rites multiple times. She died peacefully on February 9, 1824, in Dülmen, aged 49.

Final words expressed longing for heaven. Immediate reputation for holiness spread; body exhumed in 1824 showed incorruption signs.

Buried in the cemetery of the Holy Cross Church, Dülmen; grave became pilgrimage site.

Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich met her end peacefully.

Significant events

• Entered Augustinian convent, 1802.
• Received stigmata, 1812–1813.
• Brentano began recording visions, 1818.
• Died February 9, 1824.
• Declared Venerable 1892 (reopened); beatified 2004.

Significant locations

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Legend

• Birth location: Flamschen, near Coesfeld, Diocese of Münster, Westphalia, German Confederation
• Death location: Dülmen, Westphalia, German Confederation
• Notable location: Convent of profession and bedridden years (Augustinian Convent (historical), Dülmen, Germany)
• Notable location: Site of tomb (Holy Cross Church, Dülmen, Germany)
• Notable location:
• Notable location:
• Notable location:

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Parishes

Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich
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Media

Media	Length	AuthorCreator
Bl. Anne Catherine Emmerich's visions on the VEIL of VERONICA I The additional FALLS of JESUS	5–15 minutes	Wholly Catholic
The Amazing life of Bl. Anne Catherine, stigmatist and mystic	15–30 minutes	Wholly Catholic

Shrines

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No shrines where this saint is the primary saint.

Canonization

Servant of God

Cause opened 1892; reopened after interruptions.

Venerable

Declared Venerable April 18, 2001 (heroic virtue).

Beatification

Beatified October 3, 2004 by Pope John Paul II.

Canonization

Not canonized.

Miracles

No miracles required for beatification (heroic virtue); cause awaits miracle for canonization.

Patronage

No official patronage.

Feast day

February 9

Veneration

Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich is commemorated on February 9 with readings from her visions.

External links

• New Advent: Ven. Anne Catherine Emmerich
• Catholic Online: Bl. Anne Catherine Emmerick