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Some saints have been deemed worthy to share in the suffering of Christ in a very real and unique way through the Stigmata.

The Stigmata is a divine gift that gives a person physical marks that parallel the wounds Christ received during Crucifixion.

These holy men and women experienced some of the pain Jesus underwent for our salvation: 

Saint Francis of Assisi

St. Francis of Assisi received the Stigmata on Sept. 17, 1224, a date that is still celebrated as a Franciscan feast. 

At the time, Francis had spent many weeks in prolonged contemplation of Christ’s suffering on the cross. While praying Francis had a vision of a seraph, containing the form of a man crucified, which bestowed on him the five wounds of Christ–becoming the first recorded stigmatic. 

Saint Padre Pio

St. Pio de Pietrelcina had a vision of the crucified Christ from whom he received the stigmata–the only priest to have received such a gift.

During the apparition, Christ lamented the ingratitude of men, particularly consecrated persons, and invited the Capuchin friar to unite himself to the Passion and offer his suffering.

After the vision, Padre Pio had open wounds on his hands, feet, and sides that he attempted to keep hidden. However, in obedience to his superiors, he gave his testimony and allowed for a photo of him with the stigmata to be taken as it seemed the Lord intended Pio to serve as a sign for the whole Church. 

Saint Catherine of Siena

14th Century Dominican tertiary and Doctor of the Church Saint Catherine of Siena first received visible wounds on her after receiving Communion. 

After receiving the Eucharist, Catherine went into her usual ecstasy and had a vision of Christ Crucified coming toward her in a great light. Her body rose to meet him and the five rays of blood coming from His wounds toward her hands, feet, and heart. 

Catherine asked for the Lord to hide her stigmata from others and He granted her request–allowing her alone to see and feel the wounds. In this way did she suffer with Christ interiorly and intimately until her death. 

Saint Rita of Cascia

St.Rita of Cascia was a wife and mother who joined the Augustinians after the deaths of her husband and sons. 

St. Rita spent many hours meditating on the Passion and prayed that God would allow her to participate in the sufferings of the Cross. She received a partial stigmata–a wound on her head caused by a Thorn from the Crown that pierced Christ’s head.

Unlike other stigmatics, who’s wounds seemed to exude a heavenly fragrance, the wounds of Saint Rita had a rotten smell, causing people to stay away from her. 

Saint Gemma Galgani

Italian saint Gemma Galgani received a vision of the Blessed Mother and Jesus with his open wounds on the vigil of Solemnity of the Sacred Heart. 

Mary wrapped Gemma in her mantle and supported her as fire came forth from the wounds of Christ and touched her.

Gemma woke from the vision with open wounds matching Christ’s on her hand, feet, and heart. She kept the wounds covered. 

The stigmata appeared on Gemma every Thursday and disappeared at 3:00 on Friday afternoon until she died. After her death, faint marks of the wounds she suffered remained. 

St. Margaret of Cortona

Italian Penitent and Lay Franciscan St. Margaret of Cortona lived a life of penance and devotion after turning from a life of sin. She dedicated herself to serving the poor and sick, often going without food or clothing so she could give to the poor. 

Margaret also had many mystical experiences that helped her understand God’s love and the importance of compassion, including the wounds of Christ on her hands, feet, and side.