Instances of stigmata have been...
Illustration
Instances of stigmata have been documented throughout the Christian era and have been alternately regarded as signs of sanctity, diabolic markings, and as autosuggestion by personality types given to brooding over Christ's suffering and death. Briefly, stigmata are bloody wounds which seem to appear involuntarily without physical cause and correspond to the design of Jesus' wounds suffered on the Cross.
Perhaps the most famous stigmatic was the Italian peasant/monk named Padre Pio (1887-1968). At the age of fifteen, he entered the Capuchin monastery. On September 20, 1915, Padre Pio collapsed in agony with blood streaming from his hands, feet, and sides. He was examined by doctors, but the condition could not be explained. Padre Pio came to be revered and achieved unsought fame as a clairvoyant, miracle worker, and stigmatic.
Among stigmatics who are religious devotees, there seems to be a deep willingness to suffer with Christ rather than deny, betray, or mock him. They proudly display the signs of bearing the Cross.
William Cullen Bryant, in the last stanza of "Thanatopsis," adds a footnote as he depicts the valiant one giving way to suffering and ultimately to death.
So live, that when thy summons comes to join
The innumerable caravan ... in the silent halls of death,
Thou go not like the quarry-slave at night,
Scourged to his dungeon, but sustained and soothed
By an unfaltering trust, approach thy grave,
Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch
About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams.
Perhaps the most famous stigmatic was the Italian peasant/monk named Padre Pio (1887-1968). At the age of fifteen, he entered the Capuchin monastery. On September 20, 1915, Padre Pio collapsed in agony with blood streaming from his hands, feet, and sides. He was examined by doctors, but the condition could not be explained. Padre Pio came to be revered and achieved unsought fame as a clairvoyant, miracle worker, and stigmatic.
Among stigmatics who are religious devotees, there seems to be a deep willingness to suffer with Christ rather than deny, betray, or mock him. They proudly display the signs of bearing the Cross.
William Cullen Bryant, in the last stanza of "Thanatopsis," adds a footnote as he depicts the valiant one giving way to suffering and ultimately to death.
So live, that when thy summons comes to join
The innumerable caravan ... in the silent halls of death,
Thou go not like the quarry-slave at night,
Scourged to his dungeon, but sustained and soothed
By an unfaltering trust, approach thy grave,
Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch
About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams.
