Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich, the story of the Nativity

     If you ever want to read a beautiful story of the Birth of Jesus, please read Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich's account of it. 

     Anne Catherine Emmerich was born in Flamschen Germany, on September 8th, 1774. She entered the convent and soon after had received the Stigmata, causing her to be bedridden most of her life being a nun. The periodic bleeding from the Stigmatic ended, but the marks remained, causing people to assume she was a fraud. She was kept under observation for 3 weeks with the members of the Commission finding no evidence of fraud, yet her Stigmata continued. She had an unusual cross on her breastbone in the shape of a "Y", similar to a cross in the local Church. This "Y" and Stigmata caused her great pain. As a young child, Anne had visions in which she talked to Jesus and saw the Holy Souls in Purgatory. Her life is so amazing to read about and would be a wonderful way to prepare for the Nativity, as her story of Mary and St Joseph traveling to Bethlehem is quite wonderful , making one feel as if you were part of the story, watching in awe. Her visions have been recorded, and Mel Gibson the actor, even used accounts of hers for the movie, "The Passion of Christ". Anne Catherine's recount of the life and lives of so many people and places in the days of Jesus, Mary and St Joseph are absolutely beautiful. The Passion is significant in its portrayal of the cruelty and sadness that took place that day. Equally, the Majestic and Glorious account of the Birth of Jesus is beautiful and endearing.

     Look up Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich, and you will find a treasury of information on the lives of our Ancestry as a Catholic as you read her accounts. Her depictions of every stage of the Holy Family's preparation and journey to Bethlehem will give you new meaning and deep respect for our God, who planned so intricately the Holy moment of Jesus's Birth.