stigmata

     

Stigmata are boily marks, sores, or sensations of pain in locations corresponding to the crucifixion wounds of Jesus. The term originates from the line at the end of Saint Paul's Letter to the Galatians where he says, "I bear on my body the marks of Jesus," stigmata is the plural of the Greek word stigma meaning a mark or brand such as might have been used for identification of an animal or slave. An individual bearing stigmata is referred to as a stigmatic.

Trivia about stigmata

  • In 1918 padre Pio, who reportedly could levitate, became the first priest in centuries to receive these "wounds"