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Anne Juliana Gonzaga

Anna Juliana Gonzaga
Anne Catherine Gonzaga as Archduchess.jpg
Anna Caterina Gonzaga
Archduchess consort of Further Austria
Reign 1582–1595
Predecessor Philippine Welser
Successor Anna of Tyrol
Born (1566-11-16)16 November 1566
Mantua
Died 3 August 1621(1621-08-03) (aged 54)
Spouse Ferdinand II, Archduke of Austria
Issue Archduchess Martha of Austria
Archduchess Anna Eleonore of Austria
Archduchess Maria of Austria
Anna of Tyrol
Full name
Anna Caterina Gonzaga
House Gonzaga (by birth)
Habsburg (by marriage)
Father Guglielmo Gonzaga, Duke of Mantua
Mother Archduchess Eleanor of Austria
Religion Roman Catholic
Full name
Anna Caterina Gonzaga

Anna Juliana Gonzaga, O.S.M., (16 November 1566 – 3 August 1621) was an Archduchess of Austria who became a Religious Sister of the Servite Order after the death of her husband, the Archduke Ferdinand II of Austria. A cause for her canonization is open but has not advanced since the 17th century.

She was born Anna Caterina Gonzaga in Mantua on 16 November 1566 to Guglielmo Gonzaga, Duke of Mantua, and to his wife, Eleonora of Austria, one of their three children. Her godfather was the Holy Roman Emperor Philip II of Spain. Despite their noble standing, Anna Catherina was raised in a pious Catholic household, and Eleanor was particularly fond of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Legend has it that as an infant, Anna would be given a rosary by her parents to quiet her down.

At about age 5, Anna Caterina became severely ill and nearly died. She contracted a high fever and her extremities began to swell. For two years she was ill. Finally her parents appealed to the Virgin Mary with deep prayer, promising to raise Anne as a child of Mary if she lived on. Soon Anne became healthy again. Anne's parents told her of the Virgin Mary's intervention on her behalf and the promise they had made. From there out Eleanor educated and guided Anne Catherine in the cultivation of devotion to Mary. Throughout childhood Anne Catherine displayed a consistent sense of piety.

At age 9, Anna Caterina was reported to have received a vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary. One evening her room became immersed in a bright light and Mary appeared and spoke to her. While she recognized the woman before her as Mary, she was unable to understand what was she was told. It would only be years later that she understood the message. This vision doubled her long-standing desire to become a nun.


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