The Funny Thing About Stigmata Quiz

Answer: Women

Almost 80% of those who claim to experience stigmata are female. The condition is almost always associated with those of the Roman Catholic faith and is often found in those who live in religious orders, such as nuns and monks.

Answer: Saint Francis of Assisi

In 1230, Thomas of Celano, the first biographer of St. Francis of Assisi, recorded the first occurrence of stigmata. He wrote that the Saint, while on a pilgrimage to Mount La Verna in 1224, was visited by an angel. After this visitation Saint Francis was struck with open wounds to his hands, feet and side.

He recorded that the wound on the side seeped so much blood that the Saint's clothing was often covered in blood.

Answer: Padre Pio

On June 16, 2002, Pope John Paul II canonized Francesco Forgione who was popularly known as Padre Pio. Now known as Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, Padre Pio is recorded to have displayed the signs of stigmata early in his religious career, around 1911.

Answer: On the forehead

Some stigmatics are recorded to have displayed scratch type wounds on the forehead; these are believed to mirror the wounds from the crown of thorns believed to have been worn by Jesus at his crucifixion.

Answer: She did not eat anything but a communion wafer daily for 40 years.

Therese Neumann suffered through many physical illnesses before she claimed to have had a vision of Jesus at the age of 27. She claimed she received the stigmata and was cured of blindness, appendicitis, and paralysis. It was claimed that she never again ate anything but her daily communion wafer until her death 40 years later.

She reported wounds of the hand, feet, sides, head and back. She also claimed to understand, Greek, Latin, and Hebrew without ever having received instruction. Her name has been nominated for beatification to the level of sainthood, but this process can take decades and sometimes centuries.

Answer: The Odour of Sanctity

The term "The Odour of Sanctity" is a term that emerged in the Middle Ages and is used to describe the fragrance of the wounds of a stigmatic as well as the fragrance of a deceased person who has died in a state of grace. While not any specific fragrance, it is believed to be apparent to those who believe. Occasionally, a likeness to flowers is attributed to this manifestation.

Answer: The Passion of the Christ

This German nun was reported to experience religious ecstasy, experienced stigmata, and is credited with diagnosing and curing multiple people. Famous poet, Clemens Brentano, visited regularly and recorded over forty volumes describing her visions. These writings were read and used by Mel Gibson during extensive historical study, before he directed his movie "The Passions of the Christ".

Answer: She was burned at the stake.

Magdalena de la Cruz was an Abbess of her Franciscan convent in Spain. During her lifetime she had claimed many miracles including direct communication with God, stigmata, the gift of prophesy, and even a pregnancy caused by the Holy Spirit. It was not until she fell gravely ill that she confessed that she was a hypocrite and her claims of divine acts were false.

She claimed that she had been influenced by demons and was sentenced to live out her life in her convent by the Spanish Inquisition. She died a natural death in 1560.

Answer: False

Pope John Paul II made great strides for the Catholic Church during his Papal term. While credited with many things and nominated for sainthood, there are no records of him having any evidence of stigmata.

Answer: False

This is false. Almost 80% of those who claim to experience stigmata are young females. The condition is almost always associated with those of the Roman Catholic faith and is often found in those who live in religious orders, such as nuns and monks. It is often reported to start occurring during puberty and to last until death, with occasional reprieves from the suffering.