If you begin to feel overwhelmed at any point when reading this article, please pause and seek guidance from a trained mental health professional, a trusted friend, or a mentor.
Blessed Anna Maria Taigi was born in Siena, Italy, in 1769. Her family was poor and religious, and they had her baptized the next day.
When Anna Maria was six, her father’s business failed, prompting the family to relocate to Rome, where she would spend the rest of her life.
There, she attended school for two years before entering the workforce to support her family.
At the age of 20, Anna Maria married Domenico Taigi. Domenico loved Anna Maria deeply, but he struggled with anger problems and was very controlling. While he was never physically abusive, his harsh words and anger caused her much suffering.
From the outside, Anna Maria seemed faithful to God, but inside, she lived more for the world than for God. This disconnect began to cause spiritual unrest.
Then, in 1790, Anna Maria experienced a sudden conversion. But first, we need to hear the backstory.
One day, a little bit before this sudden conversion, Anna Maria and Domenico went to visit St. Peter’s Basilica. As was common for her at the time, Anna Maria was dressed in her finest jewelry and clothes.
While there, she accidentally bumped into a priest named Fr. Angelo Verandi. At that moment, he heard God say, “Take notice of that woman…I am calling her to sanctity”.
Now, back to the story of Anna Maria’s conversion. Because of her spiritual unrest, she decided to go to Confession. She went to a nearby church, and when in the confessional, cried that she was a great sinner. The priest did not recognize her and impatiently told her to go away. She finally convinced him to hear her Confession, but the experience left her discouraged.
Eventually, she decided to try Confession again, but this time she went to a different church. The priest who heard her Confession was none other than Fr. Angelo.
Fr. Angelo immediately recognized Anna Maria. He told her about the message he had received from God and reminded her of God’s deep love for her. He became her spiritual director and helped her to balance her desire for increased penance and prayer with her family duties.
Now entirely devoted to God, Anna Maria gave up her jewelry and fine clothing. Miraculously, Domenico agreed to significantly simplify their lifestyle so that they could engage in more charitable work.
Anna Maria’s family duties multiplied. She and Domenico had seven kids, three of whom died in childhood. She raised them to live out holiness in their unique life circumstances.
As she raised her children and engaged in prayer, penance, and charity, Anna Maria also grew in holiness. She became a Secular Trinitarian and had a profound devotion to the Eucharist, the Trinity, the Infant Jesus, Mary, and the Passion.
Jesus also began to speak to her. Among other things, He told her that He wanted her to demonstrate through her life that holiness is available to everyone. He also asked her to pray for the conversion of souls, especially priests.
Anna Maria also began to have mystical experiences. She often fell into a state of ecstasy, sometimes after receiving the Eucharist, and sometimes while doing her basic household tasks.
God also granted her the vision of a luminous globe, like the sun, that would shine before her eyes. This globe allowed her to see present and future events, as well as the state of grace of people around the world. This particular mystical experience lasted for 47 years until her death.
As Anna Maria grew in holiness, she learned how to turn Domenico’s angry outbursts into a penance offered to God. She learned to smile patiently and not argue back, which helped calm his temper. During her beatification process, he testified that her patience helped him grow tremendously.
Blessed Anna Maria Taigi died in 1837.
Lessons From Blessed Anna Maria Taigi
The Power of Spiritual Fatherhood
Anna Maria had a very discouraging experience in the confessional. By the grace of God, this experience did not deter her from Confession forever. God prepared a spiritual father for her who could guide her in growing in holiness and in trusting in God, even while she suffered.
Unfortunately, bad experiences like Anna Maria’s in the confessional are far too common, and it can be tempting to avoid Confession and avoid priests to prevent similar experiences from happening again. However, giving in to this temptation can rob us of spiritual fatherhood, which is so vital for the road to healing and holiness.
If you are struggling to find the courage to go to Confession or ask for a priest’s guidance, ask Blessed Anna Maria Taigi to guide you and your spiritual father to find each other.
Finding Meaning in Suffering
Domenico’s anger issues caused Anna Maria a great deal of suffering. After her conversion, though, Anna Maria learned how to offer up this suffering to God in such a virtuous way that her husband was transformed.
An important point to note is that Canon Law permits the separation of spouses when one spouse or their children are in danger due to the other spouse’s actions. The Church does not require us to stay in dangerous situations so we can offer up our sufferings. This point did not apply in Anna Maria’s case, but it may apply to yours. If you need guidance on this matter, please consult with a priest.
Overall, Anna Maria teaches us that we can unite the big and small sufferings of life to the Lord’s cross to bring about the conversion of others.
May Blessed Anna Maria Taigi intercede for all of us.