THERESE "RESL" OF KONNERSREUTH, STIGMATIST - 18 SEPTEMBER

 

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN SEPTEMBER

Saints celebrated on the 18th of September

THERESE "RESL" OF KONNERSREUTH, STIGMATIST 

Therese Neumann was born on April 8, 1898 as the eldest of eleven children of a tailor family in South Germany. At the age of 14 she worked as a maid on a relative's farm. After a devastating barn fire in 1918, she fell ill and collapsed, traumatised and exhausted. As a result, she was blind, at times deaf and paralysed. From then, she needed help with all aspects of daily living.

THE BEATIFICATION OF ST THERESE OF LISIEUX

Until April 29, 1923, that is, because on this day Therese of Lisieux was beatified. From now on, "Resl", as she was called, was cured of her blindness. On May 17, 1925, the day of Therese's canonisation, the paralysis and cramps also disappeared. Resl was restored to full health on the anniversary of St Therese's death in September 1925.

VISIONS

On the night of March 4 to 5, 1926 Resl had a first vision of the suffering and death of Christ. Numerous visions were to follow during her lifetime on earth. That night, Jesus' side wound appeared for the first time on her body.

SHE CONSUMED NO FOOD BUT FOR THE RECEPTION OF THE EUCHARIST

From October 1926 onwards she consumed no food except for the daily reception of Holy Communion. Little by little, the wounds, so-called stigmata, formed on her head, hands and feet. Every Good Friday she bled from her hands and eyes and fell into a death-like sleep that lasted until Easter morning.

A FRAUD?

Many thought Therese Neumann was a fraud and mocked her. The same goes for the journalist Fritz Gerlich, who made a special trip to Konnersreuth in 1927 to "track down the swindle". After his return he converted to the Catholic faith.

HER HOLY DEATH

On Resl's initiative, a monastery was opened near where she lived. She died on September 18, 1962, with her younger sister Maria by her side. The beatification process began in 2005.