Internal wounds

Autopsies have allegedly revealed marks or damage to internal organs in several stigmatics.

Saint Clare of Montefalco (1268-1308) was said to have been gifted with prophecy and miracles. She once told her sisters, "If you seek the cross of Christ, take my heart; there you will find the suffering of the Lord." After her death, her heart was removed from her body, and the instruments of Christ's passion were found clearly imprinted on the heart tissue, including a small cross the size of a thumb inside.

Since the heart had been removed, a sample of blood was carefully collected in a vial. The blood had thickened and retained a bright red color, as if it had been recently spilled. At rare intervals, the blood supposedly condenses and becomes moist, transparent, and fluid. In the Church of the Holy Cross in Montefalco, Italy, the vial and the intact heart are preserved in a silver reliquary.

Saint Veronica Giuliani (1660-1727) told her confessor that the Lord had placed various signs in her heart, including a small banner with the initials "J" and "M," corresponding to Jesus and Mary. At her confessor's request, she drew these signs on her heart on a piece of paper. The confessor then gave the drawing to the local bishop, who signed and sealed it in an envelope.

Thirty-six hours after her death on July 9, 1727, Veronica's heart was removed by surgeon Professor Francesco Gentili and physician Francesco Bordiga. The operation was observed by several people. Once removed, the heart was thoroughly examined and allegedly revealed the signs described, as well as images of a cross, a crown of thorns, and a chalice, exactly as Veronica had described.

The heart of Saint Teresa of Avila (1515-1582), which is still preserved as a Holy Relic, is said to bear a mark resembling a lance piercing.