Anne: The Life of Venerable Anne de Guigné

by Thomas A. Nelson (Compiler)

Anne de Guigne (1911-1922) began life as a difficult child - proud, bossy and strong-willed.  But a profound change took place in her at age 4, and for the rest of her life the "little tyrant" turned all the resources of her heart and will to the practice of perfect obedience.

This book describes the turning point in Anne's life, her First Holy Communion at age 5, her intimate love for Our Lord, her love for her little brother and sisters, her remarkable "motherhood" of souls, her purity, efforts in school, wonderful courtesy and beautiful death at age 10.

Anne's intercession has been found to be powerful, especially on behalf of children and of "big sinners."  In 1933 Anne's body was found to be incorrupt, and in 1990 the Church declared that Anne de Guigne had praticed Heroic Virtue, thus giving her the title of "Venerable."  Anne is a beautiful and inspiring true story that is perfect for adults and children alike, for it tells of a 20th-century child who may someday be counted among the great Saints of the Church!

120 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1932

About the author

Thomas A. Nelson is the author of Catholic Prayers and Pious Practices for Lent, two spiritual works. The former, dedicated the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Model in Prayer, was originally published in 2006 through TAN. A compilation of beloved and powerful Catholic prayers, Mr. Nelson's work was designed to assist the faithful in obtaining the graces and favors of God. It was also given the Imprimatur a year later by the Rev. Msgr. David D. Kagan, J.C.L.

Reviews

[Lindsey · Rating 2 out of 5]

This little girl may have been venerable, and may be behind miracles. But I couldn’t help but feel that this little girl wasn’t ever allowed to be a child. The book depicts her as a regular child until her father died, and then she changed. For all we know, this child may have felt she needed to be perfect to make things easier for her grieving mother. She deprived herself of desserts and nice things and buried her anger. While these acts may be holy, I don’t like that she felt she needed to do them. If it was truly this child’s choice to be this way, that’s one thing. But it sounds to me like her family viewed her as holy and then she felt she had to live up to it. I personally feel that God does not need children to deprive themselves or fast.
I do not think I believe in this book’s account because of the obvious idealization of everything.

[Sandralena Hanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have been around children, you know they can be selfish and self-centered. Anne started out that way, but she changed when tragedy struck when she was very young.
The Catholic church does not often beatify children, unsure if they can practice heroic virtue, but decided Anne did just that in her short life.
Read how a young girl loved everyone and was loved by all in return because she sacrificed her will in big and small things to bring sinners to God.
This is not a gloomy story, but rather one of love of neighbor and of God.

Suitable for all ages.