history of the sick.

Theologians will be perfectly aware that here are many instances of
contemplative ascetics, and particularly of persons frequently in a
state of ecstasy and who have received the stigmas, remaining long
without taking any other food than the Blessed Sacrament; for instance,
St. Nicholas of Flue, St. Liduvina of Schiedam, St. Catherine of
Sienna, St. Angela of Foligno, and St. Louise de l'Ascension. All the
phenomena exhibited in the person of Anne Catherine remained concealed
even from those who had the most intercourse with her, until the 25th
February 1812, when they were discovered accidentally by one of her old
convent companions. By the end of March, the whole town talked of them.
On the 23rd of March, the physician of the neighbourhood forced her to
undergo an examination. Contrary to his expectation, he was convinced
of the truth, drew up an official report of what he had seen, became
her doctor and her friend, and remained such to her death. On the 28th
of March, commissioners were appointed to examine into her case by the
spiritual authorities of Munster. The consequence of this was that Anne
Catherine was henceforth looked upon kindly by her superiors, and
acquired the friendship of the late Dean Overberg, who from that time
paid her every year a visit of several days' duration, and was her
consoler and spiritual director. The medical counsellor from Druffel,
who was present at this examination in the capacity of doctor, never
ceased to venerate her. In 1814, he published in the Medical Journal of
Salzbourg a detailed account of the phenomena which he had remarked in
the person of Anne Catherine, and to this we refer those of our readers
who desire more particulars upon the subject. On the 4th of April, M.
Garnier, the Commissary-General of the French police, came from Munster
to see her; he inquired minutely into her case, and having learned that
she neither prophesied nor spoke on politics, declared that there was