Story Summary
Discover the miraculous story of The Stigmata of Francis, where Saint Francis of Assisi receives the sacred wounds of Christ during a vision on Mount La Verna.
In the autumn of 1224, Saint Francis of Assisi withdrew to the secluded heights of Mount La Verna for a forty-day fast in honor of Saint Michael the Archangel. For years, Francis had prayed to feel in his own body the pain Christ suffered and to experience the love that drove such a sacrifice. On the morning of the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, while lost in ecstatic prayer, he beheld a marvelous vision. A six-winged Seraph, brilliant and fiery, descended from the heavens. Within the wings, Francis saw the image of a man crucified, his hands and feet nailed to a cross. As the vision overwhelmed his soul with a mixture of joy and sorrow, rays of light shot from the Seraph’s wounds toward his own. When the vision vanished, Francis was left with the physical marks of the Crucifixion: the heads of nails appeared in his hands and feet, and a lance wound bled from his side. He bore these sacred wounds, the stigmata, in humble silence until his death, becoming a living reflection of the Christ he so dearly loved.
The Moral
True spiritual devotion and profound empathy can lead to a total union with the Divine, transforming the believer into a reflection of their faith.
“The love of Him who was crucified transformed the lover into the image of the Beloved.”
Fun Fact
Saint Francis is the first person in documented history to receive the stigmata, and the event is commemorated annually by the Catholic Church on September 17th.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the moral of The Stigmata of Francis?
The story teaches that through absolute love and selfless devotion, a person can achieve a profound mystical union with the Divine. It emphasizes that empathy for the suffering of others is a path to spiritual transformation.
Where did Saint Francis receive the stigmata?
The miracle occurred on Mount La Verna, a remote mountain in the Tuscan Apennines of Italy. Francis had retreated there for a period of fasting, prayer, and solitude.
What exactly are the stigmata?
The stigmata are bodily marks, sores, or sensations of pain in locations corresponding to the crucifixion wounds of Jesus Christ. For Francis, these appeared on his hands, feet, and side.
What did the Seraph in the vision represent?
The Seraph is a high-ranking celestial being representing divine love and fire. In this story, it acts as a messenger of God, manifesting the crucified Christ to Francis.
How did Saint Francis react to receiving the wounds?
Francis reacted with great humility and tried to hide the marks from others to avoid vanity. He viewed the wounds not as a badge of honor, but as a painful yet beautiful share in Christ's sacrifice.
Is Saint Francis the first person to receive the stigmata?
Historically, Saint Francis of Assisi is the first recorded individual in Christian tradition to be officially recognized as having received the stigmata. His experience set a precedent for later mystics.