Visionaries, Stigmatists and the Incorruptibles (Part five)

St. Francis the Stigmatic

This 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. His story begins after the Feast of the
Assumption, 1224 A.D. When St. Francis withdrew from the Brothers
(his companions) to go into still 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 soon 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 posts, we will learn how a spiritual son of
St. Francis, Padre Pio, also received the gift of the stigmata
on his physical body. Padre Pio is one saint close to our
present generation as he passed away in 1968.