Stigmata Essay Research Paper What are stigmata

Stigmata Essay, Research Paper

What are stigmata and can it occur to anyone. Can it happen to you or someone you know. When does it happen. Is this phenomenon true or just another hoax. What happens to someone who is considered a stigmatic. What exactly is a stigmatic.

Stigmata is the spontaneous duplicated wounds that Christ received during crucifixion (Nickell, 219). The wounds that one receives are the wounds that resemble the wounds Jesus Christ suffered in crucifixion. The wounds of Stigmata are presumable inflicted by a supernatural force (Microsoft Encarta).

There are two types of Stigmata: visible and invisible. The invisible are wounds that the victim can feel torturing them; but no one can see them. Visible stigmata are wounds that can be seen by others (Freze, 35). The wounds that one receives can be of the hands (or wrists), feet, forehead, back, side, and shoulder. The most common of the wounds for one to receive are the wounds of the hands or wrists. The wounds of the feet, forehead, and the side are less common. Some stigmatics have also claimed that their heart has been “wounded” or it has formed into a mystical, Christian object such as a cross (Nickell, 219).

Some “brides of Christ” have reported to have a ring inexplicably appear or form on their ring finger or the forefinger (Nickell, 219). Some stigmatics have reported to have a ring given to them from Lord as a sign of their spiritual marriage with him. Some “brides” have said that they could see the ring, but no one else could see what they were explaining. The “brides” described their rings as a golden band with a diamond or two (Freze, 52). The rings they were explaining were like engagement rings we see in jewelry stores. The ring may be completely invisible to others, or they may be able to see the reddening of the skin (Freze, 52). In most cases, the “ring” is a thickening and reddening of the skin. The skin will take the shape of a wedding band (Nickell, 219).

The wounds of people who receive stigmata vary. Some wounds of the side could be on the right or left side. Some wounds could happen in the palms or wrists. The shape of the wounds varies a great deal also. The wounds could be punctures that are round, straight, a crescent- shape, or a cross-shaped (Source 4). The wounds can be a reddening of the skin, a bloody knob (as if it is a bumpy scar) or, deep wounds that you can see through (Nickell, 220: Freze). Freze says that some stigmata victims claim that a wound is cutting into their heart. Some of the wounds on the heart can be images of the cross, crown of thorns, nails of the crucifixion, or nerves that are in the shape of the lance (37). St. Clare of Montefalco was a stigmata victim that had symbols of the Lord’s passion etched right into her heart. She had the head of Christ, a crucifix, nails of crucifixion, the crown of thorns etched into her heart, and her nerves were in the shape of the lance (Freze, 37). Although, the location of the wounds vary a great deal; unfortunately, there is not any scientific reason that predicts what shape the wounds are going to take (Nickell, 219). Although, there are some studies that have shown wounds duplicate by the cross the victims pray upon and the wounds Jesus Christ is showing on the cross. If Christ is hanging from his hands, then the person will probably have wounds of their hands (Stigmata). The openings of the wounds could appear in just one area of the body or in several areas of the body at the same time.

The wounds of stigmata have said to do many different things. These wounds have been known to give off aromas of sweet perfumes or flower fragrances (source, 3). It has been said that even after the stigmatic is deceased, the sweet aromas will linger in their rooms and even over their gravesite (Freze, 53). It seems that the scent can come from the wounds or can be as if a perfume spray is all over their body. Sometimes a glowing of a light has been said to illuminate around the stigmata’s wounds (Freze, 44). The amount of blood that pours from these wounds also varies. Many people have the wounds duplicated on a weekly basis. The time span is usually Friday to Thursday (Freze, 35-42). Then stigmata victims can bleed up to one 12 cups of blood a day (Source 4). Some stigmata victims have not bled any, they merely have bloody sweats (source, 3). Dr. Lefebvre, a professor of medicine at Louvain, said that the cases that he examines. The secretion of the liquid is not blood. A red liquid does not form at a wound is a secretion of the pores when the pores dilate. He said that the sweats could come from the stigmatic being in their state of ecstasy or in high states of emotion. Dr. Lefebvre describes the sweat as if you were to have a piece of red candy in your mouth (Source, 3).

Who does this happen to. Nickell says this happens to Christians more so than any other person or group of people (219). There have been roughly 321 cases in total; 62 saints, and there were 20 stigmata victims in the nineteenth century (Source 3). Major non-Christian religions do not claim to receive wounds that mystically appear upon one without instruments, wounds produced by suggestion or by actions for or from God. Stigmata do not exist in both major separated branches of Christianity and even the Christians who do take full acceptance of crucifixion of Christ. The wounds of Stigmata can happen to women as well a