“I embrace the Cross of my Jesus. I will carry it like Him in pain and ignominy. I wait at His hands, triumph and glory in the hereafter.”
In this episode, Tom Shrewsbury delves into the life and spiritual journey of Blessed Anna Maria Taigi, an 18th-century mystic known for her deep piety and extraordinary spiritual gifts. Born into poverty in Siena, Italy, in 1769, Anna Maria moved to Rome at a young age where she faced many personal hardships. Despite these challenges, she embarked on a spiritual journey after marrying Domenico Tege and experiencing a life-altering encounter during a visit to Saint Peter’s Basilica.
Tom narrates how Anna Maria, through divine intervention and guidance, began to lead a life devoted to God, characterized by humility, patience, and a detachment from material pleasures. She received visions and messages from God, which included forewarnings of future events and personal guidance. Notably, Anna Maria possessed the charism of healing and the ability to see into the hearts and souls of others, which won her widespread reverence, even among high-ranking church officials.
A significant part of the episode discusses the prophecy of the “Three Days of Darkness,” a foretold event believed to signify a major purification of the world, a topic that has intrigued and worried believers over the centuries. Tom encourages listeners to reflect on this and other messages from mystics like Anna Maria Taigi, suggesting they can be seen as a divinely provided early warning system intended to bring people closer to God.
The episode closes with Tom emphasizing the importance of being spiritually and morally prepared, aligning with the teachings and commandments provided in religious scriptures, and maintaining a focus on personal sanctity and the well-being of others.
Chapter 1: Introduction to Divine Messengers – Tom talks about the significance of divine messengers in history and how some may have been meant specifically for our times. [00:00:14]
Chapter 2: Early Years in Siena and Rome – The struggles of Anna Maria’s early life moving from Siena to Rome and how her character began to show through adversity. [00:01:43]
Chapter 3: Marriage and Early Adulthood – Anna Maria’s marriage to Domenico Tege and her initial indulgence in worldly pleasures before her spiritual awakening. [00:02:57]
Chapter 4: Spiritual Awakening and Encounter with Father Angelo – The beginning of Anna Maria’s spiritual journey marked by a pivotal encounter with Father Angelo. [00:04:13]
Chapter 5: Transformation and Spiritual Guidance – How Father Angelo recognized and guided Anna Maria towards sanctity after a confession at Saint Marcellus. [00:05:54]
Chapter 6: Domestic Challenges and Spiritual Progress – Anna Maria’s challenges at home with her mother and husband, which led to deeper spiritual insights and practices. [00:07:35]
Chapter 7: Visions and Divine Communications – Anna Maria receives divine messages and experiences extraordinary charisms, including visions and levitation. [00:09:11]
Chapter 8: The Mystic Sun and Its Secrets – Details of Anna Maria’s visions through the mystic sun and her increasing clarity as her spiritual purification progresses. [00:10:43]
Chapter 9: Service and Humility Amid Family Life – Maintaining a humble and service-oriented life, Anna Maria balances the roles of wife, mother, and mystic. [00:11:58]
Chapter 10: Recognition and Influence – Anna Maria becomes known for her spiritual gifts, helping others from all walks of life without seeking personal glory. [00:13:32]
Chapter 11: Character and Personal Encounters – A look at Anna Maria’s character through anecdotes illustrating her compassion and humility. [00:15:51]
Chapter 12: Final Days and Process of Beatification – The final moments of Anna Maria’s life, her death prediction, and her beatification by Pope Benedict XV. [00:17:11]
Chapter 13: Prophecy of Three Days of Darkness – Discussion of Anna Maria’s prophecy about the Three Days of Darkness and its potential implications. [00:19:15]
Chapter 14: Conclusion and Reflection – Tom reflects on the preparedness for potential prophecies and the relevance of Anna Maria’s life and messages today. [00:21:42]
Blessed Anna Maria Taigi was born in Siena, Italy in 1769. Raised in a poor family, she married a Roman but initially faced marital difficulties. However, she persevered and eventually her husband converted to Catholicism. Anna Maria became known for her extraordinary piety and mystical experiences, receiving supernatural gifts such as prophecy and the ability to read hearts. Despite her humble background, she was admired and sought out by high-ranking individuals, including popes and royalty, who sought her spiritual guidance. Anna Maria became a model of holiness through her devotion to her family, particularly her nine children, and her selfless acts of charity to the poor and sick. She died in Rome in 1837 and was beatified in 1920 for her exemplary Christian life.
Tom Shrewsbury (1930-2012) was born in Springfield, MO. He spent several years in the professional theatre where he worked with such celebrities as Vincent Price, Lucille Ball, and Carol Burnett.
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