Phenomenon - Stigmata page -

Padre Pio
Perhaps one of the most famous stigmata accounts. Read what happened and how people responded.

History

Learn more about the history of spontanious human combustion, this short excerpt explains how this phenomenon became famous, but I believe that it must have happened more throughout history. Various theories have risen from the grey cells of bright minds, but still, SHC remains mysterious.
What is Stigmata?

What is it, Stigmata?

Sudden bleeding of the limbs or scratches that appear on the body, sometimes while simultaniously experiencing visions of a religious nature. Read several explanations by clicking 'go there' below.

Image gallery
A lot of people only believe things when they have seen it for themselves. Take a look at various images captured while these seemingly religious events took place.

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Ancient Whispers

The following events are sorted by chronological order.
The next are just a few of an estimated 320 authentic worldwide accounts of stigmata.
Thirteenth century

The first mentioned is St. Francis of Assisi, in whom the stigmata were of a character never seen subsequently; in the wounds of feet and hands were excrescences of flesh representing nails, those on one side having round back heads, those on the other having rather long points, which bent back and grasped the skin. The saint's humility could not prevent a great many of his brethren beholding with their own eyes the existence of these wonderful wounds during his lifetime as well as after his death.

1384 - 1670

These are some of the people who have encountered this strange phenomenon.

St. Frances of Rome (1384-1440)
St. Colette (1380-1447)
St. Rita of Cassia (1386-1456)
Osanna of Mantua (1499-1505)
St. Catherine of Genoa (1447-1510), Bl. Baptista Varani (1458-1524)
Bl. Lucy of Narni (1476-1547), Bl. Catherine of Racconigi (1486-1547), St. John of God (1495-1550)
St. Catherine de' Ricci (1522-89),
Mary Magdalene de' Pazzi
(1566-1607),
Marie de l'Incarnation (1566-1618), Mary Anne of Jesus (1557-1620)
Carlo of Sezze (d. 1670)

1919

The 20th century English stigmatic Dorothy Kerin spent a fortnight, in the words of one witness, "lain like a log of wood... and blind and deaf", and was expected to die, before staging a remarkable recovery. In 1919 the Bavarian stigmatic Therese Neumann suffered convulsions, lost her sight and speech and in the summer of that year fell unconscious, becoming rigid and paralysed in both legs, a condition which lasted for four years.

May 1992

Heather Woods, a 43 year old widow living in Lincoln confided in her bishop and showed him the palms of her hands where there were round tender areas of skin which periodically seeped blood. Similar marks appeared on her feet and a livid crescent wound appeared on the skin on her side.

They Bore the ..

They bore the wounds of Christ

This book,although scholarly researched and written, is easily understood. The author is very convincing as to the authenticity of the cases, but in this reader's mind the question looms somewhat heavily as to who is the real cause of the Stigmata. For the most part, I strongly suspect it's the Devil. My primary reason for this posture is the great deal of suffering, illnesses, demonic possession, etc. that so many(if not all) of the stigmatists have had to endure. The wounds of Christ is one thing; the grossness and the descriptions of so much of the suffering and illnesses are difficult to attribute to a loving Christ


Stigmata & modern ..

Stigmata and Modern Science

All I can tell you is that it is cheap.

 

 

 

 

 
Looking for a Miracle

This is a great overview of various miraculous events, conducted with an eye to actual data and evidence. A great book for thinking clearly about "holy visions," weeping statues, and other religious mass delusions. The text is thick in historical and scientific support, and there are some interesting pictures. Joe Nickell is a smart guy. Highly recommended.

 

 



Ancient Whispers