Wounds

Stigmata comprise five classic points on the body where wounds appear: on the hands, feet, and chest. These are known as the "Five Wounds" or "Holy Wounds of Our Lord," in reference to the wounds Jesus received for our sins during the crucifixion (the mark in his side corresponds to the wound inflicted on Jesus by a Roman soldier's lance—see John 19:34).

Many stigmatics also had wounds on their foreheads resembling those caused by the crown of thorns (John 19:2), as well as marks on their backs (corresponding to the wounds from scourging - John 19:34) and abrasions on their arms (from carrying a heavy cross).

Some of the stigmatics suffered the entire passion of Christ, which included: the suffering in the Garden of Olives (including tears or bloody sweat - Luke 22:44), scourging, the imposition of the crown of thorns, beatings, the sounds of the carrying of the Holy Cross and the Five Wounds inflicted during the crucifixion.

Others had only some visible marks, while the rest were absent, or only subjectively reported persistent pain. Catherine Perez Carvalho, for example, only had bleeding from one foot.

Delicia Di Giovannii received each of the five Holy Wounds, one each year. Beginning with her right hand, then her left foot, then her left and right foot, culminating in the wound that appeared in her side in the fifth year. For the next two years, the marks of the scourge and the crown of thorns also appeared, thus completing her crucifixion.

Throughout the site's history, the appearance and number of wounds have varied so greatly that it has become impossible to establish a single pattern. Some stigmatic wounds were quite small, others large—some were square, others oval, or merely dotted. Some looked like simple scratches, others were cross-shaped, and still others changed periodically. They could appear only on the palm (or the back), be superficial or deep, or even completely pierce the hands and feet.

The wounds of Saint Francis of Assisi, unique and never before seen, appeared to have been made by fingernails on his hands and feet—on one side they resembled round heads, while on the other they were shaped like long points, curving backward and connecting with the skin. The appearance of these wounds was confirmed by several contemporary historians.Another exceptional case is that of Blessed Helena of Hungary (died 1270), who was reportedly the first Dominican nun to receive the wounds. Helena received the mark on her right hand around 1237. When she entered a state of ecstasy, her hand supposedly sparkled and emitted rays of light. A golden circle appeared in the center of her hand, and from it grew a dazzlingly beautiful lily. A similar wound later appeared on her right hand.

Christ was traditionally depicted with a spear piercing his right side. However, some stigmatics had a wound in their left side, such as Padre Pio (1887-1968) and Myrna Nazzour (born 1964), a contemporary stigmatic from Damascus, Syria.

The sores open spontaneously and supposedly don't respond to medical attention. Once the phenomenon subsides, they typically heal quickly, usually leaving no scars. Unlike natural wounds, they don't appear to fester or emit any unpleasant odors.

There is, however, a known exception: in 1442, on Good Friday night, Saint Rita of Cassia (1381-1457) received the stigmata in the form of a single prick on her forehead. Although no one but Rita could see it, the wound existed.

This wound remained for the rest of her life, festering and emitting a terrible odor for 15 years. The stench was so unbearable that Rita lived in seclusion in a convent.As the moment of her death approached, several witnesses reported that the odor changed from unpleasant to a sweet, pleasant scent. At the moment of death, a bright light emanated from the source on her forehead, filling the entire room.

The blood oozing from the stigmata is literally considered to be the blood of Christ and is therefore perhaps of a different type than that of the person experiencing the phenomenon. The blood sometimes emits a pleasant, perfumed odor, known as the "scent of holiness" or the "perfumed gift.