Ignudi. Painting by Michelangelo

Joanna was born in April, 1750, in a place called Gittisham in the country of Devonshire. From the very beginning, she was devout girl who kept herself busy in prayers and worship. Though she had to work for long hours in her father’s dairy, she always found time to go to the church and pray. Nothing was remarkable in her life. She led an average everyday existence. One day, while sitting in the church, she suddenly exclaimed, “I am hearing voices. Somebody is talking to me.”