They Bore the Wounds of Christ: The Mystery of the Sacred Stigmata

This book is for those who are interested in stigmatists and the sufferings they went through.

For a detailed and well-research account on the mystery of sacred stigmata, check out Michael Freze's "They Bore the Wounds of Christ", a book where the screenwriters of Stigmata the movie probably drew myriad ideas from. The author's work was meticulous as he covered the A-Z of sacred stigmata, from the pre-requisites/qualifications to the pain/suffering to the physical manifestation to every nitty-gritty that pertained to what defined stigmatists, in a tightly written 300+ page-turner. The author, a Roman Catholic of the Franciscan Order (followers of St. Francis di Assisi), wrote with great devotion of his faith in God's work through the saints being called to this particular act/gift of trial and tribulation. His depth of knowledge of the Bible as well as the documents produced by the Vatican were well punctuated throughout the book to afford readers independent cross-referencing. Personally, I find the discussion on 'The Holy Shroud of Turin' (the ancient cloth alleged to be the burial shroud of Jesus) and the biographies of stigmatists, not least the appendix on interviews with priests who served or personally knew modern-day stigmatics thought-provoking. Buyers beware: for readers who are squeamish, photographs depicting modern-day stigmatists in this book are certainly not for the faint-hearted. Non-religious readers may find the text a bit off-putting as the author may come across to some as being too "pious". While I refrain from drawing any conclusions on the author's interpretation of the phenomenon (to largely afflict laypersons/women/Italian by origin) based on purely anecdotal and perhaps speculative evidence, the book's greatest merit is the author's fervent desire to serve and promote what he believed was the way to further God's Kingdom and be absolutely right with Him. Whether readers find sacred stigamta authentic or not is besides the point: this devotional material presents a timely wake-up call for a renewal of faith for self-professed God-believers, not least being an interesting read in its own right that satiates our curiosity/quest for spiritual edification and intellectual stimulation.

Upon reading this in depth, and graphic account of the mysteries of the stigmata, I was inspired to investigate the phenomenon in a far more focused, and intelligent manner.I'll be the first to admit that in the past I viewed the stigmata as little more than a medical condition on the lesser scale, and horrid act of self-mutilation on the higher.Upon reading this book however I began to see the sacred stigmata for what it was, a miraculous, and painful test of human faith in the man known to the world as the Christ, Jesus of Nazareth. This book (set out in almost a textbook fashion) details the visions, and stimatas of a number of already well-known, and documented stigmatists such as Anne Catherine Emmerich, Padre Pio, and Saint Theresa.This book gives a detailed account of a lot of their "afflictions", etc. and is a definite must read for anyone interested in the sacred stigmata, and it's meaning for the world as a whole.

I've read this book a while back and am strongly considering reading it again. It is that good and it has pictures of the modern day stigmatists (when I say modern I mean 20th century). Some of these pictures were very eye popping. It makes you really understand how much Jesus loved humanity to go through the pain and suffering he went through. The book is very informative and well researched. I even saw the author on a television special where they were speaking about the stigmata and they spoke about his book there. Some people wonder if stigmata is real or if it is self inflicted. I think this book shows the difference between the real mystical stigmata and wounds that are self inflicted. I also found out while reading this book that people can be deceived b/c the devil can also plant the marks on people. Research is always done to every case before the stigmata is considered authentic. I recommend this book to anyone who would like to learn more about the stigmata. Like I said before, the book is very well written and researched. I only wish there were more books on this subject available.

"'They Bore the Wounds of Christ: The Mystery of the Sacred Stigmata,' is the most comprehensive treatment ever done on the Sacred Stigmata..." So begins the description of this succinctly written, carefully researched and thoroughly annotated treatise on the Sacred Stigmata. I personally learned many more things about stigmata that may be little known. The focus of this work is on the meaning behind "these sacred wounds and the role they play for the lives of the faithful." What I found remarkable about this book was its scholarly approach to an extraordinary mystical gift given to chosen souls through the history of the Catholic Church. I was also amazed to learn that there are two types of stigmata: visible and hidden, and many times only partial. There are approximately 320 authentic stigmatists recorded throughout history, St. Francis of Assissi being the first recorded. It is also conjectured in Mr. Freze's treatise that St. Paul also may have been blessed with the stigmata. An extensive study is made of Padre Pio and Therese Neuman, as well as others: St. Gertrude the Great, St. Catherine of Siena, St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, to name a few. Special phenomena associated with this sacred gift are ecstasy, rapture, mystical flights, visions, supernatural communions, inedia, transverberation, divine union and mystical marriage. Mr. Freze skillfully works through the teachings of the Magisterium, sacred scripture, the Doctors of the Church and other writings of the Saints regarding this mystical theology. This book shows the importance the stigmatist holds in co-redemptive activity for the salvation of souls, bringing attention to the fact that it is the duty of all Christians to become aware of the these gifts, and the graces associated with them, that the Lord gives to His people. It is for this reason that this book comes highly recommended.

This book,although scholarly researched and written, is easily understood. The author is very convincing as to the authenticity of the cases, but in this reader's mind the question looms somewhat heavily as to who is the real cause of the Stigmata. For the most part, I strongly suspect it's the Devil. My primary reason for this posture is the great deal of suffering, illnesses, demonic possession, etc. that so many(if not all) of the stigmatists have had to endure. The wounds of Christ is one thing; the grossness and the descriptions of so much of the suffering and illnesses are difficult to attribute to a loving Christ