Stigmata (singular Stigma) is a term used by Christians to describe bodily marks, sores, or sensations of pain in locations corresponding to the crucifixion wounds of Jesus Christ.
An individual bearing stigmata is referred to as a stigmatic or a stigmatist. Many reported stigmatics are members of Catholic religious orders.
1- Croatian priest Zlatco Sudac
His stigmata initially appearing at a friendly get together, 31-year-old Croatian priest Zlatco Sudac's wounds have been declared by the Vatican to be "not of human origin."
The first wound, approximately an inch long, appeared on his forehead in 1999. One year later, markings appeared on his hands, feet, and side.
He described the stigmata as filling him with "a tremendous fear of the Lord."
He also stated that the wounds do not cause him pain except when he is praying.
“At this time I feel them pulsing,” he said.
2- Natuzza Evolo
Natuzza Evolo never learned to read or write. She was left to care for her younger siblings after her father deserted the family.
Natuzza's stigmata took the form of hemography; a process by which blood from the stigmata is miraculously formed into Christian writing, images or symbols on bandages and other types of cloth.
3- Therese Neumann
After fall from a stool while attending a fire in her uncle's barn, Therese Neumann was partially paralyzed.
From then on, Therese forced herself to be active as much as her limitations would permit her, but her efforts resulted in more accidents and injuries, and by 1919 Therese was not only bedridden but totally blind.
On the day of the beatification ceremonies for the Carmelite nun Therese of Lisieux, Therese Nuemann found that her sight was completely restored. Two years later, as Therese of Lisieux was canonized, she was visited by an apparition of the saint that told her she would walk again.
In 1926, she first received the stigmata, but refused to tell anyone out of fear. Over the next several days the wounds worsened.
She was told in a vision to abstain from food and drink, and from 1926 to her death in 1962, Therese took no nourishment with the exception of the Holy Eucharist. The process for the beatification and canonization for Therese Neumann was officially opened in 2005.
4- Saint Padre Pio
Perhaps the most well-known of stigmatics, Padre Pio had visions from the age of five and from an early age dedicated his life to the Lord. He became a Franciscan in 1903, and a few years later he became a fully ordained priest.
Pio was stigmatic for approximately 50 years. He lost about a cup of blood daily, but the wounds never closed or became infected; instead of the smell of blood, the wounds always emitted a sweet odor.
In 2002, Padre Pio was declared a saint by Pope John Paul II.
5- St. Frances of Assisi
St. Frances of Assisi is the first recorded stigmatic in Christian history. A wealthy and wild young man who was not necessarily pious, Francis devoted his life to God.
In 1224, Francis went to a mountain retreat to celebrate the Assumption and fast for 40 days. It was there that he had his first vision. Shortly after that, the stigmata appeared.
Francis spent the last days of his life dictating his spiritual testament and in 1228 he was put on the fast track to sainthood by Pope Gregory IX.
6- Marie Rose Ferron
Marie Rose Ferron is one of 30 stigmatics that bore all the wounds of Christ at once. Her earliest visions were recorded at the age of six in which she was witness to Christ's Crucifixion.
“He was looking at me with sadness in His eyes,” she once said.
When she was in her teens, Rose was stricken with a mysterious paralysis that worsened over time until she was completely disabled. In 1927, whip-like wounds appeared on her arms on a weekly basis.
Rose also suffered the "Five Holy Wounds" to her hands, feet, and side. She also had the outline of a crown of thorns upon her head. The stigmata never went away and Rose was in perpetual agony.
7- California housewife Cora Evans
California housewife Cora Evans first received the stigmata in 1947. “I suddenly felt the infinite devotion of God for His creatures with my soul and suddenly I felt the pain and saw the terrible wound in the hand of Jesus. The wound in my right hand is beginning to appear," she said.
Claiming divine visions since the age of three, Cora wrote about her visitations with Jesus which occurred when she fell into a trance-like state.
Soon after, the stigmata was in both palms and a crown of thorns appeared on her head. It was reported that the wounds gave off the sweet smell of roses.
The church has declared Cora Evans a "Servant of God"–the first step of four to becoming California's first Catholic saint.