?Stigmata?

Question

Do you believe stigmatas are genuine?

I would just like to hear your thoughts, opinions, and/or experiences on this topic.

Answer 1

Stigmata is a scientifically proven phenomena. There's no question of "is it real."

Genuine stigmatics are called so because they have been examined by doctors. These doctors have found no way to explain wounds that are very real. They may be present for years, yet never get infected or heal. They may bleed ONLY on certain days. Rather than smelling like rotting blood, as they should for an open wound, they have a pleasant smell - that of flowers and/or incense.

One of the most famous stigmatists is St. Pio. Formerly Padre Pio. He carried the wounds of Christ for some 50 years. Shortly before his death they disappeared. He should have had scars. But there were none.

There are many cases of false stigmata. People looking for attention. So one must have discernment with regard to such phenomena. One well-known example involved Magdalena de la Cruz (died in 1560), who eventually admitted that her wounds were faked.

Answer 2

Their existence is so well established historically that, as a general thing, they are no longer disputed by unbelievers, who now seek only to explain them naturally.

To decide merely the facts without deciding whether or not they may be explained by supernatural causes, history tells us that many ecstatics bear on hands, feet, side, or brow the marks of the Passion of Christ with corresponding and intense sufferings. These are called visible stigmata. Others only have the sufferings, without any outward marks, and these phenomena are called invisible stigmata.

Here’s a full explanation:
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14294b.htm

Answer 3

I believe that the mysterious manifestation of stigmata is very real.
What comes into question though, is the source of them.
Jesus warned the Pharisees that it was a wicked and corrupt generation who always sought after signs.

His Crucifixion and Resurrection should be sign enough of His Deity and fulfillment of Scripture.

Apparitions, stigmata, images of the BVM etc., all fall under the category of these signs Jesus warned about. They focus attention on hte sign itself, or the person to whom the signs appeared or were manifest.

Satan succeeds any time our focus is taken away from Jesus.
Real? Yes.
Godly? No.

Answer 4

Yes I believe in stigmata because the evidence is there to prove it,many skeptics think that all stigmatists self inflict these marks without having experienced this phenomena themselves or speaking to the person, God cannot be compartmentalized nor can we ever understand the depth of His mystery,God gives the marks of the crucifixion mostly to Catholics and this in itself seems to enrage Fundamentalists and all they can do is rage against it, God is the God of the impossible and all things are possible for Him but it seems that dis-believing people know better than God.

Answer 5

I think they are genuine only in that they really happen, it's been fairly well documented.

However, I think it still belongs in the realm of the mind, and is not a God-given thing, sort of like a person who breaks out in a rash when under stress. The mind tells the body what to do.

Answer 6

I believe there is something to the stigmata, but what it is I don't know, it's certainly nothing to do with the Christian God..Love and Light.. BB.. )O(

Answer 7

Yes, I believe that it is real. There are many saints who have had it: St Gemma Galgani, Padre Pio, St. Francis, St. Rita, just to name a few. Why could it not be real, all things are possible with God.

God bless,
Stanbo

Answer 8

Is there even one single recorded case where "stigmata" have been subjected to medical examination and where no natural explanation can be found? There isn't a shred of credible evidence so logically it has to be dismissed as nonsense.

Answer 9

Stigmata....yeah, it was an ok movie, id see it again. :)

Answer 10

Well there is irrefutable medical evidence to support them. So why not belief !!