The Stigmata and Stuffering?

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I have been reading about the stigmata some in the last couple of days, and one thing has just begun to bother me. I have been told many times that God does not cause suffering, but only allows it for a greater good. So does God cause the people with the stigmata suffering since the stigmata is very painful? Thanks for any answers
 
in cases where the stigmata has proven to be genuine, and Francis and Pio are the only ones I know of, the sign was allowed both for the personal spiritual benefit of the “victim” and as a sign of holiness and union with Christ, because the victim had been praying, above all, for union with Christ.
 
pm2222 said:
I have been reading about the stigmata some in the last couple of days, and one thing has just begun to bother me. I have been told many times that God does not cause suffering, but only allows it for a greater good. So does God cause the people with the stigmata suffering since the stigmata is very painful? Thanks for any answers
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Yes, and it is the first time in my long life that I dare say this, God wants human suffering and also wants eternal happiness in Heaven.

For 100 years (maximum) on sufferings in this world we get trillions of trillions of years.

the trade-off seems good.

Still, I wanted to know WHY God wants us to suffer but He does not answer. Not even Jesus Christ, who answered in the cross through actions, accpeting the Father’s Will but not by words: like a sheep, he did not open His mouth…
 
For some reason, people equate suffering with only being bad. Suffering can be good. No one considers the aches and pains of good exercise as stictly being only bad. Suffering is often how we learn things are very bad for us and quite effective helping us retain such knowledge. There is also glory and the strengthening of faith in suffering.

St. Peter tells us…

*In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith — more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire — may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ *
- (I Peter 1:6-7).

We must expect to take on suffering living in a temporal and finte world.
 
Suffering is temperal as is this physical world. All suffer to one degree or another. Suffering by God is sanctifying Grace and is to be accepted as such and offered to the Lord for the Converstion of Sinners. Its a Blessing and lesson to Trust in the Mercy of the Lord. Since so many at the first sign of trial turn and condemn the Lord. Sanctification by Trials.

A physical sign of those bearing the Cross of Christ.

There have been many. 80% women and all Cathoics, I know of no other outside the Mystical Body of Christ whom bore the wounds of Christ.

Blessed Lucia Brocadelli of Narni
Saint Catherine of Ricci
Saint Catherine of Siena
Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich
Saint Francis of Assisi
Saint Gemma Galgani
Saint Veronica Giuliani
Saint John of God
Saint Faustina Kowalska
Saint Marie of the Incarnation
Marie Rose Ferron
Marcelline Pauper, one of the Sisters of Charity of Nevers
Marthe Robin
Therese Neumann
Saint Pio of Pietrelcina
Saint Rita of Cascia
Zlatko Sudac

Peace
 
Pfaffenhoffen said:
Yes, and it is the first time in my long life that I dare say this, God wants human suffering and also wants eternal happiness in Heaven.

For 100 years (maximum) on sufferings in this world we get trillions of trillions of years.

the trade-off seems good.

Still, I wanted to know WHY God wants us to suffer but He does not answer. Not even Jesus Christ, who answered in the cross through actions, accpeting the Father’s Will but not by words: like a sheep, he did not open His mouth…
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Suppose God makes you suffer then sends you to hell anyway?
 
Soldier_Of_God said:
For some reason, people equate suffering with only being bad. Suffering can be good. No one considers the aches and pains of good exercise as stictly being only bad. Suffering is often how we learn things are very bad for us and quite effective helping us retain such knowledge. There is also glory and the strengthening of faith in suffering.
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Physical suffering and emotional suffering are two different things.

I have never seen anything good come out of emotional suffering.
 
Lost_Sheep said:
Physical suffering and emotional suffering are two different things.

I have never seen anything good come out of emotional suffering.
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I empathize that you currently see no good out of emotional pain. However, it isn’t necessarily the case there is no good outcome. My own personal situation has seen my emotional despondency threaten my willingness to live; I was hospitalized on two separate occassions for my disposition of self destruction. In retrospect, my pain forced me to make substantive changes in my life, changes that so far saved me from suicide.
 
Soldier_Of_God said:
I empathize that you currently see no good out of emotional pain. However, it isn’t necessarily the case there is no good outcome. My own personal situation has seen my emotional despondency threaten my willingness to live; I was hospitalized on two separate occassions for my disposition of self destruction. In retrospect, my pain forced me to make substantive changes in my life, changes that so far saved me from suicide.
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So far…
 
pm2222 said:
I have been reading about the stigmata some in the last couple of days, and one thing has just begun to bother me. I have been told many times that God does not cause suffering, but only allows it for a greater good. So does God cause the people with the stigmata suffering since the stigmata is very painful? Thanks for any answers
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My answer is not nearly as eloquent as everyone else, but…

Yes, He allows it, but the suffering is viewed very differently by those who experience it…
As far as God allowing them to suffer and for a greater good: I’ve read that by the time these people are undergoing this - they’ve reached such a point of unity and love with our Lord that it is not considered a suffering to them in the same way the rest of the modern world would view it…

From what I’ve read, the suffering stigmatics endure can be be quite painful at times, but it is not always a consistent, nonstop pain which is unbearable. The wounds which may or may not be present at all times (some have the wounds intermittently) are not physically painful at all times, although the person would be aware of the presence, they do not necessarily cause great pain 24/7. ie- kinda like a bruised knee or something similar. You’re aware of it off and on as a nagging pain(excuse the wording with the analogy- it’s late ) as well as a visible reminder. I’ve read many stigmatics suffer as much or more emotionally than physically. One- I would imagine it draws quite a few onlookers and unwanted attention as well as could make one extremely self conscious. Two- just as you would recall accidentally walking into the table each time you saw a bruise- they are reminded and feeling a part of Jesus Christ’s suffering for us both physical and emotional. It’s much more than this of course, but that’s the basics.

I believe the greater good is… First and foremost the suffering is a more complex type of suffering/ different than what we generally think of or can even comprehend.
Second, these people have such a deep love and knowledge of the Lord to share with others, witness, and spread the word and love of our Savior and many times result in church growth. Look at how St. Padre Pio’s love of the Lord resulted in a massive expansion and growth of the church. . .

Padre Pio said, "You should feel at home with sufferings that it pleases Jesus to send you, since you always have to live with them. Acting thus you think less of being freed from them. Jesus who cannot suffer long to keep you in affliction will come to relieve and comfort you by infusing fresh courage into your soul.

Lost Sheep, I will keep you in my prayers. God Bless
 
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