Anna Maria Taigi (29 May 1769 - 9 June 1837), born Anna Maria Giannetti, was an Italian Roman Catholic professed member from the Secular Trinitarians. She married Domenico Taigi, a brash and impulsive individual though devoted to his wife. Taigi experienced a series of ecstasies during her life and was reported to have heard the voices of God and Jesus Christ on several occasions. She became a Secular Trinitarian after experiencing a sudden religious conversion. That happened in the winter of 1790 at Saint Peter's Basilica when Taigi came into contact with a range of cardinals and luminaries, which included Vincent Strambi and the bishop Benedict Joseph Flaget.
The beatification process opened in 1863 under Pope Pius IX after she was titled as a Servant of God and Pope Benedict XV later beatified her in mid-1920.
Life
Childhood and education
Anna Maria Giannetti was born in Siena, Italy on May 29, 1769, as an only child to Luigi Giannetti and Maria Masi. On May 30, 1769, she was baptized in her local parish church as "Anna Maria Gesualda Antonia Giannetti".
Her father served as a pharmacist in a small store in Siena. However, he lost his fortune. In 1774, the family moved to Rome where Luigi found work as a household servant. From 1774 - 1776, Anna Maria attended a school, managed by the Filippini Sisters. After graduation, she worked as a domestic servant to help provide for her family. While living in Rome, she was nicknamed "Annette". In 1780, she received her Confirmation in the Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran and, in 1782, received her First Holy Communion in her parish church of San Francesco di Paola.
Marriage
On January 7, 1789, Anna Maria married the Milanese Domenico Taigi (1761-1850s). Domenico served as a butler for the noble House of Chigi in the church of San Marcello al Corso. The couple had seven children, three of whom died in infancy.
When Sofia was about to be married, her fiancée, Micali, was allowed to frequent the house. For two months prior to the marriage the couple could meet, but only in the presence of her parents. Sofia's son, Camillo, was conscripted into the armed service. When Sofia was widowed, Taigi allowed Sofia and her six children to move into her home.
Although Taigi's husband, Domenico, could be ill-tempered and caustic, he was devoted to his wife. After her father died, Taigi's mother moved in with the family. In winter 1790, Taigi and Domenico visited Saint Peter's Basilica. She was leaning on his arm in an extravagant dress. A large throng saw her bump into the Servite priest, Father Angelo Verandi, in the piazza. Taigi went to confession and felt a strong inspiration to renounce her vanities. She cried to the priest: "Father; you have at your feet a great sinner." The priest replied, "Go away; you are not one of my penitents." Finally, the priest relented and allowed Anna Maria to confess. After he absolved her, the priest curtly slammed the confessional slide shut. On another occasion, Taigi entered the church of San Andrea della Valle. Before the Crucifix, Taigi reported hearing the voice of Jesus Christ, "What is your wish? To follow Jesus poor and naked and stripped of all? Or to follow Him in His triumph and glory? Which do you choose?" Taigi replied, "I embrace the cross of my Jesus. I will carry it like Him in pain and ignominy. I await at His hands triumph and glory in the hereafter."
On December 26, 1802, Taigi became a professed member of the Secular Trinitarians in the church of San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane. She frequented hospitals and especially liked to visit and aid patients at San Giacomo of the Incurables. Taigi experienced a series of ecstasies and frequent visions in which she foresaw the future. She knew a range of religious individuals, including Cardinal Carlo Maria Pedicini. Their friendship lasted three decades. One evening, Taigi drifted off to sleep with a serene expression on her face. Her eyes drifted upwards, towards Heaven, which alarmed her daughter, Maria, who tearfully proclaimed, "Mamma is dead; Mamma is dead." Her sister, Sofia, corrected Maria, "No! She is praying," but Domenico said to them, "Be quiet! She's asleep. Leave her alone. She had no sleep last night." Before Taigi died, she met with the first Bishop of Louisville Benedict Joseph Flaget. She praised the bishop and the United States of America. Napoleon's mother, Letizia Ramolino, learned of Taigi and sought her spiritual advice. Some of Taigi's spiritual advisors were Raffaele Natali, the secretary of Pope Pius VII and Vincent Strambi.