Saint Teresa Margaret Redi

Biography

Saint Teresa Margaret Redi, also known as Ann Maria Redi, Anna Maria Redi, Anne Mary Redi, Teresa Margaret of the Sacred Heart, and Teresa Margherita Redi of the Sacred Heart, was born on 15 July 1747 in Arezzo, Tuscany, Italy to the noble parents Count Ignatius Redi and Camilla Billeti. From an early age, Teresa Margaret exhibited a strong piety and a deep understanding of God's love for all people, which she believed was not shared by everyone. At the age of nine, she began her education at the Saint Apollonia convent in Florence, Italy. Despite her young age, Teresa Margaret demonstrated remarkable maturity and was often entrusted with the responsibility of watching over her peers. During this time, she developed a fervent desire to receive her First Communion and developed a strong devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Teresa Margaret engaged in extensive correspondence with her father, discussing her spiritual experiences and reflections in great detail. However, she requested that her letters be destroyed after being read, and sadly, her father complied with her wish. In September 1763, Teresa Margaret received a message from Saint Teresa of Jesus, also known as Saint Teresa of Avila, advising her to join the Carmelite order. She briefly returned home to Arezzo at the age of 17 but quickly returned to Florence. On 1 September 1764, she entered the Discalced Carmelite convent of Saint Teresa and took the name Teresa Margaret of the Sacred Heart. She received the veil on 11 March 1765 and made her final vows on 12 March 1766. Within the convent, Sister Teresa Margaret dedicated herself to serving in the infirmary. It was believed that she possessed a gift of healing, as she demonstrated an ability to predict her own impending death less than five years after taking her final vows. Teresa Margaret's short life and vocation were characterized by a deep and contemplative union with God. She constantly meditated on her favorite phrase, "God is love," and sought to live in accordance with this understanding of divine love. On 7 March 1770, at the age of 22, Saint Teresa Margaret Redi passed away in Florence, Italy due to a severe and painful abdominal disorder. In the weeks following her death, her body underwent a remarkable transformation. Any swelling and discoloration disappeared, her body remained incorrupt, and it exhibited a healthy glow and emitted a pleasant perfume-like fragrance. In recognition of her holiness and the numerous miracles attributed to her intercession, Saint Teresa Margaret Redi was beatified by Pope Pius XI on 9 June 1929. Later, on 19 March 1934, Pope Pius XI canonized her as a saint of the Catholic Church. Although Saint Teresa Margaret Redi does not have a specific patronage assigned to her, her life and example continue to inspire and encourage believers to seek God's love and live in union with Him. Her unwavering faith and dedication to prayer serve as a powerful reminder of the transformative power of God's love in the lives of His faithful followers.