Mary Magdalen in the Visions of Anne Catherine Emmerich

by Anne Catherine Emmerich

The visions of Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich are the world\'s greatest source of detail on the life of St. Mary Magdalen -- great sinner and penitent. Fully referenced to The Life of Jesus Christ (their source), these pages agree completely with Sacred Scripture, but also tell of Mary Magdalen\'s sinful life from age 9, her extravagant attire, her second repentence after falling back into sin, her exorcism by Our Lord, His defense of her against the self-righteous, her relationship with Martha and Lazarus, her external appearance, her role at Calvary and much more. Impr. 191 pgs, PB

Genres: Catholic, Religion, Spirituality, Nonfiction, History, Faith

160 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2005

About the author

Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich was a Roman Catholic Augustinian nun, stigmatic, mystic, visionary and ecstatic.

The daughter of a peasant couple, Anne Catherine Emmerich worked as a seamstress and servant before entering an Augustinian convent in 1802 at age 28. Frail and pious, she became known for her ecstasies, visions of the supernatural and "conversations" with Jesus.

After she became bedridden in 1813 she developed the stigmata -- bleeding wounds corresponding to those of the crucified Christ. A church investigation pronounced the wounds genuine. Ill for many years until her death at age 49, she offered up her suffering for the souls in purgatory. She was beatified on October 3, 2004 by Pope John Paul II.

Anna Katharina Emmerick

Reviews

[booklady · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating details about the Magdalen, her family, conversion and subsequent life as a follower of Jesus. Especially heart-rending are the descriptions of the Passion. This must be where Mel Gibson got much of his material. So much more background for all of the Gospel, I have pulled down the first Volume of the Complete set of Life Of Jesus Christ And Biblical Revelations. It has been on my bookshelves forever.


June 1, 2019: It is amazing how these visions fit the medieval legends about her. Did Anne Catherine know those? I can't help wondering... But there is so much more information and detail here.

[Nicholas Perez]

So here's the thing: I discovered an Amazon package on my doorstep this morning with this book inside. It was addressed to me, but I don't recall ordering it. I will read it at some point, but I find it interesting that this book came into my possession at this time, during which I am planning to write a speculative fiction book inspired by the various legends about Mary Magdalene.

Weird, but fitting.

UPDATE 6/28/2024: My brother's wife sent it. That was so kind and thoughtful of her! Still, she has no idea about my Mary Magdalene book *X-Files theme song*

[❀Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first "true" spiritual read. I was inspired to read it as a result of my (yet again...annual) goal of getting through the Bible, and reading about the life of Mary Magdalene whom I didn't ever know much about. The concept that this story was told through visions was fascinating to me, particularly given the descriptive details of events we're somewhat familiar with in the Bible. I was actually moved to tears at some points.

[Aaron Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was culled from the 4 volume work of her visions "The Life of Jesus Christ". These visions which deal with Mary Magdalen really fill in the gaps about her and just blow away all the fluffy scholarship that has been popping up the last number of years. You start reading and are just drawn into the visions some of which are very intense. After reading this I am definitely going to pick up the 4 volume set it is taken from. The one thing that I definitely took away from this is that though one was saved once you have the chance to fall away again into a worse situation that before but still be able to saved again if one is particularly penitent. Also the verse from Revelations which referred to those who are lukewarm being spit out, takes on some new meaning at least to me in these pages where those who were very repentant could be saved immediately and those who were lukewarm in their approach to Jesus were told to go home and reform their lives. This is definitely worth rereading.

[Aimee Ecuyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Truly fascinating read. Great for meditation during the Lenten and Easter seasons.

[Katrina Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

The visions of Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich give the details of the life of Jesus and Mary as well as Mary Magdalene, St. Joseph, etc. The style of writing is a bit different but you will be mesmorized at the content. This book is part of a much larger collection and deals with the subject of Mary Magdalen. Did you know she was a sister to Lazarus? She was not a prostitute, but a very beautiful, wealthy, and promiscuous young lady until her conversion. The words of A.C. Emmerich do not conflict with but rather clarify the Scriptures. Amazing!

[Christine Calabrese · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, it's a quick read and gets you to see a little of Mary Magdalen's life. We don't get to see her in Italy or on her boat with her brothers, we'll have to wait to learn of all her wonderful adventures when we talk to her in Heaven. We do learn however, how deeply she loves Our Lord and how much He appreciates her gratitude and love for Him. We learn how concerned He is about her welfare during His Passion and this is very touching to us all.

Hope you enjoy this book!

[Celia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not know who Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich (1774-1824) was, but I learned she was an Augustinian nun, a mystic, a stigmatist, and was declared Blessed in 2004. I am reading as much as I can on St. Mary Magdalen, and I found this book, which is a part of Blessed Anne's visions of her. Of course, if you are at all familiar with the Gospels, you will know the basis for all that she describes, except that her visions are in exquisite detail. Quite fascinating and spiritual.

[Karen Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed this book about Mary Magdalen based on Bl. Anne Catherine Emmerich's visions. One can only get a glimpse into Mary Magdalen's life from the gospels. This particular book gives so much more than a glimpse. The reader gets to delve into the her life and her redemption. I can't imagine being processed by seven demons and going through two exorcisms. However, Jesus being who He is, was all forgiving. On the second exorcism, Mary Magdalen went to Jesus and confessed ALL her sins. He didn't have her do this in front of others, but off to the side away from the religious women. Jesus then told them that Mary Magdalen had committed many sins, but she would be the most penitent. Of course Jesus pardoned Mary for her sins.
For the rest of her life, Mary Magdalen was in tears, but she also lived with and traveled with all the religious women. From what I gathered they were the first "nuns" who would help the poor, the Apostles and the disciples. The saddest point was the description of Jesus' death whom we know from scripture was raised from the dead.
The details were uncanny and beautiful. I felt as though I had been there the entire time. I would recommend that people read this account of one saint that so misunderstood. Even the Apostles/Disciples didn't seem to get her either. Jesus, however, straightened them out.

[Mary Lollar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing insight into the life of this saint

This book revealed so many insights into the life of Mary Magdalen that were unknown to me. Some include: Mary Magdalen was one of three sisters of Lazarus. She was the Mary who poured expensive perfumed oils onto Jesus’ head - not once, but many times, after her conversion. She has another sister, also named Mary, who was a mystic. So many more interesting facts, but I won’t give them all away. I’ll just say the book is well worth reading. It is a wealth of knowledge. A treasure!

[Jeanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful book. That the Lord blessed Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich with such visions, filling in what was previously unknown & giving us a precious glimpse into the lives of Our Lord, His holy Mother, the Apostles and a few of the Saints, in particular St. Mary Magdelene was amazing in itself. I was SO blessed and grew in my faith & love for the Blessed Mother & St. Mary Magdelene through this book, can't wait to get other books written about this Blessed's visions

[Kassie R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

These writing about Mary Magdalene come from The Life of Jesus Christ, which I now fully intend to purchase and read the complete 4 volumes. So much detail and fascinating. I wasn’t sure if I would learn anything new about Magdalene since I had just finished a book about her, but I did. I enjoyed learning more about her, others during the life of Christ, and just more detail about the Lord during his time on earth!

[Miriam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly knew pretty much nothing about Mary Magdalene going into this book.
The visions are so eye opening, and take you back in time.
It takes you back to dive deeper into the biblical parables as they actually happened.
Blessed Mother, and the holy women were incredible!
Reading this brought a whole new light into my faith.

[Sasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible insights into the life of Magdalen and her older brother and sister- Lazarus and Martha. Our Lord Jesus, and His Blessed Mother. Our Lord’s Passion, Death, and Resurrection. Incredible detail. The conversion of St. Longinus (known as Cassius at the time of the crucifixion).
These mystical visions and the recording of them are an incredible gift to the faithful of the church.

[Katherine Weaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved learning about St Mary Madelyn’s life. She was a very flashy person who once she converted was one of Jesus’ biggest supporter! The last half of the book gives a history of Jesus’ life and ministry. I would recommend this book.

[Maurice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't read the Old or New Testament, and don't intend to, but I found Anne Catherine Emmerich's account of Magdalen very interesting.

[Richard Kustra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating and inspiring. Very easy to read.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anne Emerich - mystic, stigmatic . . . . . if you want to become close to Christ in His passion, read this book.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, short book about the life of Mary Magdalen.

[Trisha Griffiths · Rating 5 out of 5]

You have too believe!!

[Jen Finke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love to read more about my Confirmation patron, but this one was a little dry. Interesting enough, though. Great book to read during Lent.

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a collection of excerpts that mention St. Mary Magdalene from the writings of the mystic Anne Catherine Emmerich. St. Mary Magdalene is my patron saint for the year 2013 so I wanted to devote some of my reading time to learning more about her. As such this book does a fine job of providing details about her that will help me in my annual devotion.

Now having said that, I've always been hesitant to dive into the visions of Emmerich and for the most part these excerpts just confirm my hesitancy, but there were several that grabbed me and caused me to think and for that I'm thankful that I did read this. This is not a scholarly work, and I'm not sure I would classify it as devotional either, but rather you could call it a screenplay of the various interactions of Mary Magdalene with Jesus.

[Jane]

I don't know how to rate this book. I know that the author is a mystic and mystics experience things that most of us never will.
having said that the book had some anti semitic references I did not like at all. I have read the other book Dolorous Passion and that seemed closer to the biblical accounts.

[Atlantis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has taken me forever to finish. Partly because I kept misplacing it in my house-LOL I have enjoyed all of the books I have read on Blessed Anne Cathrine Emmerich's visions. Very detailed and thought-provoking. Highly recommend for any Catholic especially if you are interested in learning more about the mystical side.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read this before and just finished it a second time because I am meditating on Mary Magdalene as my saint for this year. I find the visions of Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich to be quite intense and not always what I would expect. I am reserving judgement on them until, God willing, I get to heaven and know for sure.

[Bárbara Lunardi · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was so, so disappointed and I got so mad while reading this.