Wednesday 21 November 2018

Understanding Stigmata Catholic Priest And Saints

By Brenda Brown


While Saint Pio is one of the most well known and regarded saints in Christian history, others came before. For example, Saint Francis of Assisi was the first to experience the phenomenon of the Stigmata. Whereas, there has also been more than one Stigmata Catholic Priest whom have gone on to become saints.

Padre Pio of Pietrelcina who died in 1968 not only had all these abilities and more. In fact, up until the time of Saint Pio had there been no such miracle worker since the time of St. Francis of Assisi, whom had been known as a healer and miracle worker of humans and animals. As such, it is no surprise that Saint Pio was an avid follower of Saint Francis of Assisi.

Most of those bearing the Holy Wounds of Christ are members of the Catholic church or some religious order. When it comes to the history behind the symbol, Saint Francis of Assisi was the first recorded stigmatic in the history of Christianity to display symptoms. After which, St. Pio reported stigmata which were later studied by several 20th century doctors, all of whom had no explanation as to how or what caused the religious symbol to appear.

There are many Catholics and others whom defy these actions, including some of the most ardent and faithful believers. In one account, a worshiper swears Saint Pio was present at the Vatican while the saint was still at the San Giovanni monastery. Whereas, another account tells of the transfiguration of the face of the saint into that of Jesus during a Consecration ceremony.

Saint Pio was akin to the Apostle Paul in that the saint made apostolic work, in and outside the Catholic church a priority. In addition, like Paul, Pio garnered wisdom, glory and strength through this work. In fact, like Jesus and Paul, Pio made great sacrifices in an attempt to save the world through good news and good works while always proclaiming Jesus, as ultimate Lord and Savior.

Other stigmatists show recurring bleeding which stops and starts. In some cases, after having received Holy Communion. Whereas, other stigmatics have often shown a strong desire to frequently receive the Holy Sacrament of Communion. After which, the bleeding starts and stops over again.

Others claim to experience the feeling of pain from the wounds Jesus experienced while on the cross. Often referred to as an invisible or phantom stigmata, the pain can often be more difficult to understand by those of lesser faith. In some cases, wounds will clot and disappear while others will appear fresh on an ongoing basis. In a few cases, the wounds are said to present a pleasantly perfumed odor, often known as the Odor of Sancticity.

In 1916, Saint Pio was sent to the San Giovanni Rotunda where he remained until having departed this world in 1968. Considering all the good works the saint had accomplished in life, to say the loss was tragic is an understatement. Although, as with Saint Francis of Assisi and others, Saint Pio still answers prayers of the people on an ongoing basis, even beyond the grave.




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