St. Francis the Stigmatic
One story of St. Francis' stigmatization is based on a biography written by Johannes Jorgensen. This author examined many documents and visited many parts of Italy where St. Francis was known to have lived and preached. The story of the stigmatization of Francis of Assisi begins after the Feast of the Assumption, 1224 A.D. When St. Francis withdrew from the Brothers (his companions) to go into greater solitude, Francis made a hut for himself and made arrangements with Brother Leo to visit him once in the day to bring bread and water - once by night for Matins (prayers recited in the early hours of the morning after midnight).
The instruction for Brother Leo
Since Brother Leo had the responsiblity of bringing food and water, and to pray Matins with St. Francis, he was instructed by St. Francis with a procedure to accomplish his tasks. As Leo would step upon the bridge that led to the hut of St. Francis, >he was to say aloud the prayer which begins the recitation of the breviary: "O Lord, thou wilt open my lips." If St. Francis gave the proper response, "And my mouth shall declare Thy praise", then Brother Leo was to proceed to the hut of St. Francis. If Brother Leo did not get an answer from Francis, he was to go home quietly. Francis gave this instruction to Leo because Francis was sometimes in such a state of rapture - so filled with God's love and presence that he could not speak.
The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
Days and nights went by until the feast of the Holy Cross (September 14) would be at hand. The Cross and the Crucified Lord had always been an object of devotion on Francis' part. During the Mass for this Feast, Francis felt deeply the strong words referring to Jesus and His Cross. He lay in prayer outside his cell on the morning of September 14. He prayed that he may feel in his soul and body the passion of Christ. He also prayed that his heart may receive that great charity by which Jesus willingly underwent His passion for the redemption of all sinners. During this time of prayer, Francis saw a seraph coming down from heaven with six bright wings. As Francis saw this vision, his heart was mixed with fear, joy, sorrow, and wonder. Through an inner flame, the vision left a wonderful image and imprint of Christ's passion on the body, heart, soul, and mind of St. Francis. Though St. Francis said nothing of this to his Brothers, they found that his habit and clothes were bloody when they went to the wash.
The Brothers understood what happened
It was Brother Leo who first knew of what happened to Francis. Then Brother Rufino also learned of this miraculous gift. Leo was the one who fixed the bandages on Francis, while Brother Rufino washed the clothes of Francis. As for Francis, he was filled with great joy - a complete liberation from all care and dejection. Together with Brother Leo, the two eventually left Mount Alverna where Francis received his stigmata, and journeyed on foot. Francis rode a donkey because he could not walk on the journey.
The news spread with great joy
As St. Francis returned to the villages where he lived and preached, the people met him with olive branches and the cry, "Ecco il Santo"! As Francis gave his hand to be kissed, miracles were accomplished. A woman whose life was in danger was cured. Another woman was cured from her hysteria. As Francis returned eventually to Portiuncula (where his conversion began), he felt as if all the zeal of his youth was returned. He again went out on missionary trips - particularly to the lepers to whom he preached, counseled, and cared for.
To be continued
In the next blog post, the story of Padre Pio's stigmata will be related. Padre Pio, a spiritual son of St. Francis, also received the gift of the stigmata on his physical body. Padre Pio is one saint closer to the modern generation as he passed away in 1968 A.D.
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