Stigmata

  • Thread starter Thread starter tmancath
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
T

tmancath

Guest
Ok. I am part of a couple of different forums and I a question that I just can’t seem to have an answer for. No. 1 I am in the process of becoming a Secular Franciscan so I am really drawn to this particular thing. 2. here is my question. Is alright to pray to receive the Stigmata?? Why or why not??? With everything going on with me spiritually and emotionally, I really desire the stigmata. I have been praying through the intercession Padre Pio. As of today when I pray to receive the stigmata, I feel slight pain in my hands and feet for about an hour after I pray for it, but nothing physical occurring. Both St. Francis and Padre Pio have a huge impact on my life. If there is a priest on this forum maybe he could get in contact answer this. Anyone else is free to offer advice
 
Not a priest, but of foremost concern would be, to what ends or why do you want to receive the Stigmata? Only you can answer that.

I would think that if you can pray to God that if it is His Will that you should be allowed to accomplish those ends, AND that if it is His Will that by means of you experiencing the Stigmata is the best way in His Will for those ends to be accomplished, then maybe it would be something for you to pursue in faith.
 
Garyr’s advise is sound.

We can pray for anything, but we should also remember Christ’s prayer in Gethsemine. He prayed that the cup pass but, “Thy will and not mine be done”.

Ultimately I think this forum is not the best venue for your question. This should be dealt with by yourself and your spritual director.
The important question that must be answered is why you are praying for the blessing of the stigmata.

Additionally you should consider this.
Did St Francis or St Padre Pio pray to receive the stigamta? Or did they simply pray that God use them in whatever way that God saw fit?

Since you say that these persons are of the greatest influence on you, you should seek to emulate them in their interior lives and actions, not in the exterior signs.

Peace
James
 
I recommend praying for the spirit of self-sacrifice, that you might suffer as Christ wills for you to suffer on His behalf and that of His Kingdom.
 
well you can pray for any good thing, but God alone knows what is good for you

it seems that saints who did bear the wounds of Christ did so because their hearts and souls and wills had become so conformed to His, and they so closely identified with him, that their bodily marks followed what had already marked them inwardly. I don’t think they focused on asking for the visible marks, but on praying for union with Him, and they found that union in serving the poor–materially poor, poor in health, spiritually imporverished–the little ones. If you want union with Christ, pray and work for that, not for the outward signs of that union. Ask Him to transform you inside first. If you do pray for this remember you are asking to be crucified with Christ and if you are blessed it will be with a cross that you cannot bear without his strength.
 
Thanks for the replies thus far. My faith has held me together in so many different ways. A lot of unexplainable things have happened in my life this year and I really have changed from a lot of bad habits. I pray that God will use me in a way that is fitting to him. A year ago I was struggling to find what’s next. I was involved with my Christ Renews his parish program and my time on team was coming to an end. I wanted a bigger commitment felt held back from giving my all. Since then I was informed about Secular Franciscans and what it is all about. My prayer life has been improved on so has my conformity to Christ. St. Francis inspired me to live a life poverty, chastity and obedience. Padre Pio has recently entered my life in a special way to. The things that I once wanted and desired no longer matter. The stigmata was the last thing I thought I would ever pray about. I am well aware of the conformity that St. Francis and Padre Pio had. I still feel as if I haven’t done as much as I should be doing for the Lord and really want to devote much to him. Anymore pocessions don’t mean a whole lot to me. I need to get the message out about Christ while yet I need to continue to pray for conformity to Christ that I make my will his, as if my will doesn’t exist. I can’t tell you why I feel close to the stigmata. The more I learn about the stigmata, the more it remains a mystery just like the Eucharist. Thanks again for all the replies. I can’t really find any words that explain what I am going through. I just ask each and every one of you to keep me in your prayers as I continue to live as Christ wants me to live and if it isn’t his will that I pocess the stigmata, that he will by the power of the Holy Spirit show me where he wants me to be.
 
There are some things that God will grant to us whether we pray for it or not.

There are other things that God will not grant to us no matter how much we pray for it.

Then there are the things that God might grant to us depending on our prayers and merit.

It depends on your intentions. What do you plan to do with the Stigmata? If you have an incredible dedication to Jesus’ Passion and this is a loving gesture done out of free will, God might grant this depending on if He perceives you are fit. But be aware that the pain could well be there and the wounds do not have to show.
 
tmancath said:
Ok. I am part of a couple of different forums and I a question that I just can’t seem to have an answer for. No. 1 I am in the process of becoming a Secular Franciscan so I am really drawn to this particular thing. 2. here is my question. Is alright to pray to receive the Stigmata?? Why or why not??? With everything going on with me spiritually and emotionally, I really desire the stigmata. I have been praying through the intercession Padre Pio. As of today when I pray to receive the stigmata, I feel slight pain in my hands and feet for about an hour after I pray for it, but nothing physical occurring. Both St. Francis and Padre Pio have a huge impact on my life. If there is a priest on this forum maybe he could get in contact answer this. Anyone else is free to offer advice
Click to expand...
We are not supposed to seek out suffering of any kind but rather accept it if it comes our way.
Therefore you should not be praying for the Stigmata.
 
fulbert4605 said:
There are some things that God will grant to us whether we pray for it or not.

There are other things that God will not grant to us no matter how much we pray for it.

Then there are the things that God might grant to us depending on our prayers and merit.

It depends on your intentions. What do you plan to do with the Stigmata? If you have an incredible dedication to Jesus’ Passion and this is a loving gesture done out of free will, God might grant this depending on if He perceives you are fit. But be aware that the pain could well be there and the wounds do not have to show.
Click to expand...
I agree with you 100% on your first 3 lines. I do have an incredible dedication to Jesus’ Passion and yet I feel the stigmata connected to the Eucharist in the terms of receiving Christ. The pain I have felt is mild compared to what has been described of stigmata. This quite an unusual thing for me. As said before I can’t really describe it. My words just seem to misdescribe it.
 
thistle said:
We are not supposed to seek out suffering of any kind but rather accept it if it comes our way.
Therefore you should not be praying for the Stigmata.
Click to expand...
can you elaborate a little for me. If you want you can PM me. I have to put on a fish fry for my K of C council today and to marrow I am attending a Franciscan profession retreat for a lady associated with the Fraternity in which I will one day be a part of. I do plan on asking Fr. Shurgers, the priest associated with the retreat as well. Thanks
 
I think it really depends on why you are asking. Sometimes we don’t understand our own motives… often when people pray for spritual favours, that’s out of pride, even if they don’t realize it at the time. So I think maybe it’s safer to just pray for God’s will, and if you feel drawn to suffering for Christ, ask Him for this BUT also ask for the grace and strength to bear the suffering… and keep in mind that He usually answers these kinds of prayers, but not always in the way we expect, and out of humility remember how weak we are and easily we can lose trust in God… depend on Him for everything, don’t assume that you’ll be strong in your faith if you’ll suffer, but ask God to help you be strong. I hope that makes sense… I just think this might become a temptation for you. Remember that few chosen souls receive the Stigmata. It’s a great spiritual favour just like having visions of Christ, etc. Sometimes it’s more humble to not pray for that, but let God decide. I’ve found there were times He didn’t give me what I asked simply because I wasn’t ready, I was too proud (and still am lol.) But there’s nothing wrong with simply wanting to share in Christ’s suffering for love of Him 🙂 have you considered practicing some devotions related to the Passion, like way of the Cross or Holy Hour or others?

Also remember that we don’t necessarily have to look for suffering… it’s all around. Even daily inconveniences… try to do everything for God and offer everything to Him as a prayer.

Have you considered getting a spiritual director, if you don’t already have one?

God bless!
 
puzzleannie said:
well you can pray for any good thing, but God alone knows what is good for you

it seems that saints who did bear the wounds of Christ did so because their hearts and souls and wills had become so conformed to His, and they so closely identified with him, that their bodily marks followed what had already marked them inwardly. I don’t think they focused on asking for the visible marks, but on praying for union with Him, and they found that union in serving the poor–materially poor, poor in health, spiritually imporverished–the little ones. If you want union with Christ, pray and work for that, not for the outward signs of that union. Ask Him to transform you inside first. If you do pray for this remember you are asking to be crucified with Christ and if you are blessed it will be with a cross that you cannot bear without his strength.
Click to expand...
great post 🙂

Also, many of the Saints who had the stigmata did not want it and in fact they prayed it would be hidden from everyone else. If they had visible stigmata, they prayed for it to be invisible (ie: just the pain). They also did not want anyone to think they’re holy. I think that’s an important point to consider…

if you feel drawn to sharing in Christ’s suffering in this way, that’s not a bad thing, (it can of course be a great thing), but try to submit to His will in everything. Ask Him for the grace to do this. When we love His will more than our own lives, then we can say we truly love Him.
tmancath said:
Thanks for the replies thus far. My faith has held me together in so many different ways. A lot of unexplainable things have happened in my life this year and I really have changed from a lot of bad habits. I pray that God will use me in a way that is fitting to him. A year ago I was struggling to find what’s next. I was involved with my Christ Renews his parish program and my time on team was coming to an end. I wanted a bigger commitment felt held back from giving my all. Since then I was informed about Secular Franciscans and what it is all about. My prayer life has been improved on so has my conformity to Christ. St. Francis inspired me to live a life poverty, chastity and obedience. Padre Pio has recently entered my life in a special way to. The things that I once wanted and desired no longer matter. The stigmata was the last thing I thought I would ever pray about. I am well aware of the conformity that St. Francis and Padre Pio had. I still feel as if I haven’t done as much as I should be doing for the Lord and really want to devote much to him. Anymore pocessions don’t mean a whole lot to me. I need to get the message out about Christ while yet I need to continue to pray for conformity to Christ that I make my will his, as if my will doesn’t exist. I can’t tell you why I feel close to the stigmata. The more I learn about the stigmata, the more it remains a mystery just like the Eucharist. Thanks again for all the replies. I can’t really find any words that explain what I am going through. I just ask each and every one of you to keep me in your prayers as I continue to live as Christ wants me to live and if it isn’t his will that I pocess the stigmata, that he will by the power of the Holy Spirit show me where he wants me to be.
Click to expand...
I will pray for you… that’s wonderful that God has been leading you closer to Himself. God bless you 🙂
 
Monica4316 said:
great post 🙂

Also, many of the Saints who had the stigmata did not want it and in fact they prayed it would be hidden from everyone else. If they had visible stigmata, they prayed for it to be invisible (ie: just the pain). They also did not want anyone to think they’re holy. I think that’s an important point to consider…

if you feel drawn to sharing in Christ’s suffering in this way, that’s not a bad thing, (it can of course be a great thing), but try to submit to His will in everything. Ask Him for the grace to do this. When we love His will more than our own lives, then we can say we truly love Him.

I will pray for you… that’s wonderful that God has been leading you closer to Himself. God bless you 🙂
Click to expand...
Thanks for your advice. My main focus is not to want things, but have God direct my life in a way that is fitting to him. A year ago the Stigmata was a very special gift. Today the Stigmata is much more than a gift is a true blessing. If the stigmata doesn’t occur I will be just as happy as I would be if God willed that I have Stigmata. My prayers are much more intense than writing and speaking what is on my mind. I just need continued prayers that God’s Will, will be done the way he sees fit. Pride is another thing, I don’t like to get pride in the way of what God really does have in store for me. Right now it is just a confusing time in many ways.
 
tmancath said:
Thanks for your advice. My main focus is not to want things, but have God direct my life in a way that is fitting to him. A year ago the Stigmata was a very special gift. Today the Stigmata is much more than a gift is a true blessing. If the stigmata doesn’t occur I will be just as happy as I would be if God willed that I have Stigmata. My prayers are much more intense than writing and speaking what is on my mind. I just need continued prayers that God’s Will, will be done the way he sees fit. Pride is another thing, I don’t like to get pride in the way of what God really does have in store for me. Right now it is just a confusing time in many ways.
Click to expand...
it sounds to me like you’re on the right path! 🙂 keep on trusting God and being submitted to His will… and everything else will work out 🙂 God bless!
 
Thank you so much to all that replied. I sought so insight from a priest at a profession retreat for a member in my local Secular Franciscans fraternity. At this point I am looking for a spiritual director for one on one consultation
 
tmancath said:
Ok. I am part of a couple of different forums and I a question that I just can’t seem to have an answer for. No. 1 I am in the process of becoming a Secular Franciscan so I am really drawn to this particular thing. 2. here is my question. Is alright to pray to receive the Stigmata?? Why or why not??? With everything going on with me spiritually and emotionally, I really desire the stigmata. I have been praying through the intercession Padre Pio. As of today when I pray to receive the stigmata, I feel slight pain in my hands and feet for about an hour after I pray for it, but nothing physical occurring. Both St. Francis and Padre Pio have a huge impact on my life. If there is a priest on this forum maybe he could get in contact answer this. Anyone else is free to offer advice
Click to expand...
there are two kinds of stigmata the invisable and the visable. You can pray for it all you want but unless God wants you to have it you will not. I recived the invisable stigmata the night of my conversion. After I repented I was forced into the pose of the cross and felt and saw with the eyes of my soul angels hammering nails into my hands and feet and stabing me in my side. it was so painfull I thought I was going to have bloddy wounds but there was none. it has happened to a less intense degree a few more times but no accual wounds in the flesh. I never asked for it it was just a sighn from god for me alone. in the case of francis and padre pio it was a sighn for others. but in any event it is only by the grace of god and a willingness to suffer for the gosple. and just a little fun fact-according to a catholic dictonary I have 95% of all the recorded ligitamate stigmata has happened to women.
 
i guess you could pray to receive the stigmata, after all god is the one that grants all prayers so if he wants you to have it he will grant your prayer…

but bear in mind those with the stigmata suffer pain and bloody wounds which they have to keep bandaged up otherwise the blood would flow freely everywhere
 
tmancath said:
Is alright to pray to receive the Stigmata??
Click to expand...
I did this many years ago when I was younger but then realised how painful it would be.

It would be like a knife wound that never heals.

If He wants you to have it you will.

Pray that you can learn to glorify him more.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top