MANICHAEAN
04-04-2017, 02:09 AM
Aspects of Stigmata.
One of the most intriguing aspects of Christian faith that gets my attention from time to time is what appears to be the manifestation from the spiritual to the mortal in the case of genuine stigmatics.
As many of you are no doubt aware, the stigmata is generally described as the spontaneous appearance of the wound marks of a crucified Christ on a person's body. These marks include the nail wounds at the feet and the hands, the lance wound at the side, the head wounds from the crown of thorns, and the scourge marks over the entire body, particularly the back. A stigmatic may have one, several, or all of these wound marks. Moreover, they may be visible or invisible, and they may be permanent, periodic, or temporary in appearance.
It is important that the genuine stigmatic be separated from one whom, for whatever reason, indulges in self-mutilation to produce these bodily wounds. Also there is a need to consider that the stigmata is not a sign from Satan to cause some spiritual frenzy and confusion. Accordingly, since the stigmata is regarded as a sign of union with a crucified Christ, the genuine stigmatic is invariably judged to have lived a life of virtue, to have endured physical and moral suffering, and they have almost always achieved a level of ecstatic union with the Lord in prayer.
So let us look at some of the most interesting facts of stigmata.
1. The genuine stigmata bleeds especially on days when the Lord's passion is remembered (such as Fridays and Good Friday), whereas those of a pathological nature would not. Many stigmata show recurring bleeding that stops and then starts, at times after receiving Holy Communion.
2. The genuine stigmata emits clean blood, whereas those of the pathological origin suppurate. The blood flow from a genuine stigmata can be great at times without harm to the person, whereas that of a pathological nature would seriously weaken a person and require a blood transfusion. Padre Pio received the wounds of the Lord in his hands and feet. Each day, he lost about one cup of blood, but the wounds never closed or festered. Also, a sweet odor is reported to have emanated from his wounds instead of the smell of blood.
3. The genuine stigmata cannot be healed through medication or other treatments, whereas one of pathological origin can.
4. The genuine stigmata appears suddenly, whereas that of a pathological origin appears gradually over time and can often be linked to underlying psychological and physical causes.
5. The genuine stigmatics have been surprised at the actual appearance of the stigmata. (NB Though St. Francis of Assisi begged to share in the sufferings of Christ.
6. They have often tried to conceal it so as not to cause attention to themselves.
7. Stigmata is primarily associated with the Roman Catholic faith. Many reported stigmatics are members of Catholic religious orders.
8. A high percentage (perhaps over 80%) of all stigmatics are women.
9. A relatively high percentage of stigmatics also exhibit inedia, living with minimal (or no) food or water for long periods of time, except for the Eucharist.
10. Individuals who have obtained the stigmata are many times described as ecstatics. At the time of receiving the stigmata they are overwhelmed with emotions.
11. Cases of stigmata are mainly known to have occurred after the thirteenth century, when the depiction of the crucified Jesus in Western Christendom emphasized His humanity.
12. Many cases of male stigmatics were non-ordained.
It has been argued that an individual’s compassion with Christ produces a faith so strong and so deeply incarnate that it leads to the individual embodiment of the contemplated pain. Also, some modern research has indicated stigmata is of an hysterical origin, or linked to dissociative identity disorders, especially the link between dietary constriction by self-starvation and a dissociative mental state, in the context of a religious belief.
Faith is by definition a very personal thing and can be accepted or embraced at different levels of intensity. Personally I would baulk at receiving stigmata, remote as it is with the life I have led. Yet I always take comfort and remember in one of Grahame Greene’s novels, a character that by force of circumstance was brought to the realization, that despite all his resisting, he was finally faced with the inevitability in the existence of God.
One of the most intriguing aspects of Christian faith that gets my attention from time to time is what appears to be the manifestation from the spiritual to the mortal in the case of genuine stigmatics.
As many of you are no doubt aware, the stigmata is generally described as the spontaneous appearance of the wound marks of a crucified Christ on a person's body. These marks include the nail wounds at the feet and the hands, the lance wound at the side, the head wounds from the crown of thorns, and the scourge marks over the entire body, particularly the back. A stigmatic may have one, several, or all of these wound marks. Moreover, they may be visible or invisible, and they may be permanent, periodic, or temporary in appearance.
It is important that the genuine stigmatic be separated from one whom, for whatever reason, indulges in self-mutilation to produce these bodily wounds. Also there is a need to consider that the stigmata is not a sign from Satan to cause some spiritual frenzy and confusion. Accordingly, since the stigmata is regarded as a sign of union with a crucified Christ, the genuine stigmatic is invariably judged to have lived a life of virtue, to have endured physical and moral suffering, and they have almost always achieved a level of ecstatic union with the Lord in prayer.
So let us look at some of the most interesting facts of stigmata.
1. The genuine stigmata bleeds especially on days when the Lord's passion is remembered (such as Fridays and Good Friday), whereas those of a pathological nature would not. Many stigmata show recurring bleeding that stops and then starts, at times after receiving Holy Communion.
2. The genuine stigmata emits clean blood, whereas those of the pathological origin suppurate. The blood flow from a genuine stigmata can be great at times without harm to the person, whereas that of a pathological nature would seriously weaken a person and require a blood transfusion. Padre Pio received the wounds of the Lord in his hands and feet. Each day, he lost about one cup of blood, but the wounds never closed or festered. Also, a sweet odor is reported to have emanated from his wounds instead of the smell of blood.
3. The genuine stigmata cannot be healed through medication or other treatments, whereas one of pathological origin can.
4. The genuine stigmata appears suddenly, whereas that of a pathological origin appears gradually over time and can often be linked to underlying psychological and physical causes.
5. The genuine stigmatics have been surprised at the actual appearance of the stigmata. (NB Though St. Francis of Assisi begged to share in the sufferings of Christ.
6. They have often tried to conceal it so as not to cause attention to themselves.
7. Stigmata is primarily associated with the Roman Catholic faith. Many reported stigmatics are members of Catholic religious orders.
8. A high percentage (perhaps over 80%) of all stigmatics are women.
9. A relatively high percentage of stigmatics also exhibit inedia, living with minimal (or no) food or water for long periods of time, except for the Eucharist.
10. Individuals who have obtained the stigmata are many times described as ecstatics. At the time of receiving the stigmata they are overwhelmed with emotions.
11. Cases of stigmata are mainly known to have occurred after the thirteenth century, when the depiction of the crucified Jesus in Western Christendom emphasized His humanity.
12. Many cases of male stigmatics were non-ordained.
It has been argued that an individual’s compassion with Christ produces a faith so strong and so deeply incarnate that it leads to the individual embodiment of the contemplated pain. Also, some modern research has indicated stigmata is of an hysterical origin, or linked to dissociative identity disorders, especially the link between dietary constriction by self-starvation and a dissociative mental state, in the context of a religious belief.
Faith is by definition a very personal thing and can be accepted or embraced at different levels of intensity. Personally I would baulk at receiving stigmata, remote as it is with the life I have led. Yet I always take comfort and remember in one of Grahame Greene’s novels, a character that by force of circumstance was brought to the realization, that despite all his resisting, he was finally faced with the inevitability in the existence of God.