Saint Anna Schäffer (1882–1925) was a German laywoman renowned for her profound faith and endurance amidst suffering. Born on February 18, 1882, in Mindelstetten, Bavaria, she aspired to join a religious order but was unable due to financial constraints. At 14, she began working as a maid to support her family. In 1901, at the age of 18, she suffered a severe accident, falling into boiling water while working, which resulted in debilitating injuries to her legs and left her bedridden for the remainder of her life. Despite enduring over 30 unsuccessful surgeries, Anna embraced her suffering as a means to deepen her relationship with Christ. She once wrote, "I cannot write by pen how happy I am every time after Holy Communion. Ah, I forget my earthly suffering and the longing of my poor soul draws me every moment to adore my God and Savior hidden in the Blessed Sacrament."

Confined to her bed, Anna transformed her life into a mission of spiritual outreach. She engaged in extensive correspondence, offering comfort and prayers to those who sought her guidance. Additionally, she crafted needlework, including church linens, and considered her suffering, writing, and sewing as her "three keys to heaven." In 1910, Anna reported experiencing visions of Christ and received the stigmata, the wounds of Christ, which she bore with humility and discretion. Her room became a place of pilgrimage, where many came to seek solace and spiritual counsel. Her unwavering devotion and acceptance of suffering served as a testament to her deep faith and inspired countless individuals.

Anna Schäffer passed away on October 5, 1925, after a prolonged battle with illness, including colon cancer. Her life of sanctity led to her beatification by Pope John Paul II on March 7, 1999, and subsequent canonization by Pope Benedict XVI on October 21, 2012. Her feast day is celebrated on October 5.