Wife Mother & Mystic: Blessed Anna-Maria Taigi

by Albert Bessières, Stephen Rigby (Translator)

The story of Blessed Anna-Maria Taigi, a woman singled out at the age of twenty-one, to receive revelations from Our Lord and the Blessed Mother, which continued until her death. In her visions she foresaw much of the political turmoil that took place during her life most significantly the French Revolution and subsequent weakening of the Church's temporal authority. She also read the state of souls, both living and dead. Despite these miraculous gifts, she was content to fulfill her station in life as the wife of a poor serving-man and the mother of seven children. Wife, Mother and Mystic chronicles the events of an extraordinary life and yet, the great lesson of this biography is not found in the extraordinary, but in this modest woman's constant, hidden "striving after holiness" in her most ordinary tasks.

Genres: Catholic, Biography, Religion, Spirituality

232 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1952

Reviews

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to love this book more than I did. I was happy to read about a saint who was a wife & mother. What a wonderful role model for those called to the same state in life. I truly enjoyed the parts of this book dedicated to detailing Anna-Maria Taigi’s homelife, her relationship with her husband, the mystic visions she had, and her selfless sufferings! If the book were entirely devoted to these stories I would have given the book a solid 4+. However, there were many chapters dedicated to Napoleon Bonaparte and his mother. They lived at the same time and came from the same street as Blessed Anna Maria. Their lives did not really physically intertwine but they most certainly did spiritually. However, much of the commentary on the Bonapartes was confusing and seemed to interrupt the flow of the story. I can see explaining this association and I understand the significance of the historical connection ... alas, I felt anxious to hurry through those chapters. Still a very good read.

[Regina Skierka · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were parts of the book I really enjoyed and parts that didn’t make much sense to her overall story. In the first half of the book I wasn’t a big fan of the authors writing. It seemed like he jumped around in time a lot. One sentence he would be talking about her childhood and the next sentence would be of her getting married. The middle of the book was really good. I enjoyed reading about her life, especially as a mother and wife. The example she set of being a caring and tender mother and a very patient wife made me want to do better in those areas of my life. The last few chapters of the book were not that great. It went into detail about Napoleon and his life and the state of Italy and France. It was quite boring and I speed read it because it didn’t make much sense. Overall the book was good, but I wouldn’t read it again.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved

[Christine Calabrese · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wife, Mother & Mystic

Blessed Anna-Maria Taigi.

Reading about the saints establishes supernatural friendships. We are brought closer to heaven as these mystics are studied and incorporated into our daily lives.

Keep in mind that this book is translated from French and forgive the author for some clumsy wording. Unfortunately, at times, the author loses the reader because ample background is not provided; no doubt the translator struggled to find precise vocabulary and correct syntax.

After overcoming the initial shock of this jarring writing style, I began to enjoy this book. I learned that Anna-Maria Taigi, married with children, was called upon to be one of those rare victim souls who changed the world by her sufferings. A diligent instructress, her children never lacked in religious fervor. She courageously guarded their salvation and kept them from sin. Her husband too, benefited greatly from this saint’s wisdom and charity, her actions as a married woman can be used as a model for all.

History was altered by this one soul who dared to suffer, believe and practice the Catholic Faith in all things. How was it changed? By her prayers, her intercession, healings, visions and counsel.

Heavenly friendships are a wonderful consolation for the Church Militant. This book gives us a bridge to heaven by discovering an important mystic for our time. After reading this book, you will feel comfortable, as I do, including her in your petitions.

Blessed Anna-Maria Taigi, ora pro nobis.

[Brenda Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Times really don't change much. With God we will get through anything. This is what this book reminds us of.

[Fernando Cabezas Astorga · Rating 4 out of 5]

Una hagiografía realista y desde dentro de una madre de familia que es también mística. Sabe conjugar la vida diaria, el enfrentar la pobreza y la caridad, las obligaciones familiares y el vencimiento permanente de un carácter fuerte y dulce a la vez.

El libro quedó al debe en lo referente a su influencia en personajes históricos y en todo lo que fue su visión mística que ciertamente no era para su propio beneficio, sino para abrir los ojos al mundo, tanto en lo religioso como en lo geopolítico. Esperaba una mayor explanación de esos hechos singulares que la hicieron destacar como una mujer influyente dentro de su escondida vida.

No deja de ser un ejemplo a seguir en sus virtudes como madre y mujer de hogar, en donde también cabe la santidad heroica, prescindiendo en todo de lo extraordinario. Y eso es parte de lo maravilloso de esta vida ejemplar.

[Jane Lebak · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a bit clunky in the way it's written. We're deaing with a book written in the early twentieth century in French and translated, so it's not only linguistic clunkiness but also stylistic with a touch of hagiography.

The woman herself sounds quite amazing, but the author's take on it is at times off-putting, and I found myself questioning some of the author's most basic assertions (such as Anna Maria Taigi had been engaged in something like a spiritual battle with Napoleon. The author makes much of this, and yet Blessed Anna Maria herself doesn't harp on it, and the connection is tenuous at best.)

I do find it refreshing that the book relegates the "three days darkness" into a footnote, whereas if you google Blessed Anna Maria, that's pretty much all you find.

The book claims it's written toward non-believers, but I cannot see that any non-Catholic would stick with it, or even a non-conservative Catholic. WHich is a shame, because the glorification of the ordinary daily actions of an ordinary person is a very important facet of Catholicism.

[Glen Dallaire · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an inspiring book about a remarkable laywoman who was given some extraordinary mystical graces, most especially the gift of a sun-globe wherin she was able see in this mystical sun-globe certain events corresponding to certain persons, the Church, or world events. This extraordinary mystical gift was unique to Blessed Anna Maria Taigi and I know of no other mystics who were given it.

This book was very informative and inspiring and thos who like reading about the holy lives of mystics/saints will certainly appreciate this one.

Glenn Dallaire

[Bethany · Rating 3 out of 5]

When you start playing with genealogy and learn you have a family member who is basically one step away from being a Saint, you read a book about her. This was a lot of people in this book and I'll admit that I got lost a couple of times. It was interesting nonetheless and kind of cool to know that if I ever get to Italy I can literally visit her.

Ecstasies , visions, prophecy, healing... Personally, I was more entertained seeing 2 family names within the pages!