Stigmata
Bodily marks resembling Christ's crucifixion wounds, primarily in Roman Catholicism.
Stigmata (from the Ancient Greek *στίγματα*, the plural of *στίγμα*, meaning "mark," "spot," or "brand") are physical wounds, scars, and pain that appear on the body in places matching the crucifixion wounds of Jesus Christ. These locations include the hands, wrists, feet, near the heart, the head (from the crown of thorns), and the back (from scourging and carrying the cross). The phenomenon is primarily associated with Roman Catholicism; the Eastern Orthodox Church has no official position on it. Saint Francis of Assisi is widely recognized as the first recorded stigmatic. For more than fifty years, Saint Padre Pio of Pietrelcina, a Capuchin friar, reported having stigmata, which were examined by several physicians in the 20th century.
A person bearing these wounds is called a stigmatist or a stigmatic. The term itself appears in the Bible, in Galatians 6:17, where Saint Paul writes, "From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus." Reported cases vary widely. Many stigmatics display some or all of the Five Sacred Wounds—those in the wrists and feet from nails, and the side from a lance. Others show wounds on the forehead resembling those from a crown of thorns, as seen in 20th-century cases like that of Marie Rose Ferron, which were repeatedly photographed. Additional forms include tears of blood, sweating blood, and back wounds from scourging.
Bleeding in stigmata often recurs, stopping and starting again, sometimes after receiving Holy Communion. A notable number of stigmatics have a strong desire for frequent Communion. Many also exhibit inedia, claiming to survive on little or no food or water for long periods, except for the Eucharist. Some show weight loss, and closer investigation often reveals fakery. There are also cases of "invisible stigmata," where individuals feel pain without visible marks. Some wounds do not clot and remain fresh and uninfected, and in certain instances, the blood is said to have a pleasant, perfumed odor, called the Odour of Sanctity.
Stigmatics are often described as ecstatics, overwhelmed with emotion when receiving the marks. The Catholic Encyclopedia states that no definitive cases are known before the 13th century. Christian theologian Ivan Illich, in his paper *Hospitality and Pain*, argues that stigmata result from an exceptionally intense faith and desire to share in the
- field
- Religious phenomena (Roman Catholicism)
- known_for
- Bodily wounds corresponding to the crucifixion wounds of Jesus Christ
- first_recorded_stigmatic
- St. Francis of Assisi
- notable_stigmatic
- St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina
- percentage_of_women
- Over 80%
Lore & Background
St. Francis of Assisi is widely considered the first recorded stigmatic in Christian history. In 1224, two years before his death, he embarked on a journey to Mount La Verna for a forty-day fast. According to legend, a six-winged angel appeared to him while he prayed; the angel was crucified. When the angel departed, Francis was left with wounds in his hands, feet, and side. His first biographer, Thomas of Celano, reported that the marks of nails appeared in his hands and feet, and his right side had a large wound as if pierced with a spear, which often bled. Pope Alexander IV and other witnesses declared they had seen these marks both before and after his death.
Reader's Guide
Stigmata hold significance in Roman Catholicism as a physical manifestation of deep religious faith and compassion with Christ's suffering. The Catholic Encyclopaedia stated that no definitive cases are known to have occurred before the thirteenth century. Most cases of stigmata have been the result of trickery and fraud. A high percentage (probably over 80%) of all stigmatics are women. Ted Harrison suggests there is no single mechanism whereby the marks are produced; what is important is that the marks are recognized by others as being of religious significance. Some stigmatics exhibit inedia, claiming to live with minimal or no food or water except for the Holy Eucharist, though closer investigation often reveals evidence of fakery. The blood from the wounds is said, in some cases, to have a pleasant, perfumed odor known as the Odour of Sanctity. Differently from the Five Holy Wounds of Christ, some mystics like Francis of Assisi and Padre Pio reported a spontaneous regression and closure of their stigmata in the days following their death.
Did You Know?
- St. Francis of Assisi is widely considered the first recorded stigmatic in Christian history.
- Over 80% of all stigmatics are women.
- Most cases of stigmata have been the result of trickery and fraud.
- Some stigmatics' wounds do not appear to clot and seem to stay fresh and uninfected.
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