Corpus Christi for Unity and Peace (CUP) had the honor of hosting a renowned author, professor of political science, and senior director of the Institute for Faith and Freedom at Grove City College, Dr. Paul Kengor, at a transformative conference in Indianapolis on May 16-17, 2025. Dr. Kengor captivated attendees with a talk based upon his new book published in September of 2024, Stigmatists: Their Gifts, Their Revelations, Their Warnings.
Dr. Kengor’s intense interest in stigmatists began when he was not yet Catholic — one might say when he vacillated between being an agnostic and an atheist. While not a believer at the time he could not deny the science, as a premed major, behind the intense and exhaustive investigations and testing that had been done on the stigmatists by psychologists, medical doctors, and bishops, etc. all concluding the stigmata was real. His research reveals a fascinating testament to God’s love for humanity and the value of suffering.
St. Francis is the very first person who bore the stigmata (although some may argue that perhaps it was St. Paul based upon Galatians 6:17 where Paul says, “for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.”). Regardless, St Francis received the stigmata in 1224 while in the midst of intense prayer and sacrifice while isolating himself on a mountain called Mount Alvernia. The wounds in his hands, feet, and side remained until his death two years later. Fast forward to the 20th century, which saw more stigmatists than any other time in history. Dr. Kengor posits that “heavenly forces are sending us these physical signs, these manifestations for a skeptical age that is now 2,000 years removed from the time of the apostles. So, we are at a period where… Thomas the apostle in the upper room … said ‘Unless I actually see the holes in his hands and go up to him and stick my fingers in them, then I won’t believe.’ So, for us today to see these living crucifixes, as they’ve been called, we need those miracles today. “In essence God, through his infinite love and mercy, is using these saints with the stigmata as evidence for us to believe.” – Dr. Kengor
Many stigmatists not only bore the physical wounds of Christ—ranging from nail marks to the crown of thorns, the spear wound in His side, the shoulder wound, or various combinations—but were also gifted visionaries. Their mystical experiences included vivid insights into the past, such as scenes from the life of Jesus, the childhood of Mary, and the lives of the Apostles. Among the most well-known were Therese Neumann (b. 1898) and Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich (b. 1774), whose visions extended beyond history into the prophetic. Emmerich, for instance, foresaw a time when Satan would be temporarily loosed from the chains of hell. Dr. Kengor explained that the stigmata are physical marks given to suffering souls, reflecting and participating in Jesus’ sacrificial passion. Stigmatists view them as a spiritual gift and are willing to surrender — to suffer — for the sins of others. It should be noted that prior to receiving the stigmata, they all had suffered significantly physically, emotionally, and spiritually. And here is where we get to the notion of suffering and its value.
Everyone in this world experiences suffering in some form. The suffering may take many different forms—physical, emotional, spiritual psychological, etc. The suffering may be immense or small, it may be for a small period or lifelong. But as Catholics, we understand and need to embrace the value of the suffering and what it merits. Who among us has not heard the phrase “offer it up”? For it is, Jesus who calls on us to join our suffering with his, offering it up for the forgiveness of the sins of the world. The stigmatists are living examples of this alignment, this joining of suffering, with our Lord for the expiation of sins for all of mankind.
The conference featured stories of saints and mystics who bore the stigmata, including St. Catherine of Siena, Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich, St. Gemma Galgani, Padre Pio, Blessed Elena Aiello, and St. Faustina among others. Many had conversations with their guardian angels, Mother Mary, and Jesus Christ himself as they bore their pain. They even encountered attacks from demons. Some evidenced the stigmata continuously while, others only from Thursday night to Sunday morning. While all had different circumstances surrounding their stigmata, what was in common was their passionate love for Christ and their willingness to suffer for the good of mankind.
One attendee shared, “Dr. Kengor’s stories about Padre Pio’s joy in suffering inspired me to see my own challenges as a way to grow closer to Christ and help other souls.”
Without question, Stigmatists: Their Gifts, Their Revelations, Their Warnings, along with the rest of the CUP conference left attendees craving more about these mystics and saints, the workings of the stigmata, and the contemplation of the role of suffering in our salvation. This talk along with all of the talks from the conference are on the CUP website or on CUP’s YouTube Channel at: https://youtu.be/-2_6_MO3anA?si=RkxJe8Aeryr6maHG
For a deeper exploration, read Dr. Kengor’s Stigmatists: Their Gifts, Their Revelations, Their Warnings.
Join CUP’s mission to promote the truth and defend our Catholic faith by visiting our website to learn about future events and resources that inspire and uplift.