Summary

The Blessed Virgin appeared to Saint Peter, to his confessor, Raymund of Pennafort, and to King James of Aragon, and through these three men established a work of the redemption of captives. She desired the establishment of the Mercedarian religious order. (derives from the Spanish word for mercy - merced) Its members would seek to free Christian captives and offer themselves, if necessary, as an exchange.

1871

Anna Henle von Aichstetten is born in Allgau (Southern Germany)

1884

On the day of her first communion, an Angel offered her three things:  a crown of roses, a crown of thorns, and a harp. The child took the crown of thorns, and remained inexplicably paralyzed, bedridden for 66 years until her death.

1887

She received the stigmata, and continued regularly to suffer the Passion of the Lord. The Lord gave her additional graces to live without food, also ecstasies and visions of the life of Christ, bilocation, to speak biblical languages, prophetic visions of the future, of the great crisis of the Church, the moral corruption of the German nation, the coming chastisements, especially the three days' darkness. Although these extraordinary favours lasted 66 years, the Lord ordained that they remain hidden. Only a few discreet faithful were allowed to share them, and Anna fulfilled perfectly what the Lord had ordained. She offered her constant sufferings for the great needs of the Church, especially for Christian unity, and for the German people who, during her lifetime, were chastised by two horrible world wars.

Feb 21, 1950

Anna Henle passed away. Only after her death were the most extraordinary mystical graces and heroic life of this saint made known.