The Imprinting of the Sacred Stigmata of St. Francis
Today is the commemoration of the Imprinting of the Sacred Stigmata which St. Francis, founder of the Order of Friars Minor, received through a wonderful favor of God in his hands, feet, and side, at Mount Alverina in Etruria.
Francis imitated Christ so perfectly that towards the end of his life our Lord wished to point him out to the world as the faithful imitator of the Crucified, by imprinting His five wounds upon his body.
Two years before his death, when, according to his custom, Francis had repaired to Mt. La Verna to spend the 40 days preceding the feast of St. Michael the Archangel in prayer and fasting, this wonderful event took place. St. Bonaventure gives the following account of it:
"Francis was raised to God in the ardor of his seraphic love, wholly transformed by sweet compassion into Him, who, of His exceeding charity, was pleased to be crucified for us. On the morning of the feast of the Exultation of the Holy Cross, as he was praying in a secret and solitary place on the mountain, Francis beheld a seraph with six wings all afire, descending to him from the heights of heaven. As the seraph flew with great swiftness towards the man of God, there appeared amid the wings the form of one crucified, with his hands and feet stretched out and fixed to the cross. Two wings rose above the head, two were stretched forth in flight, and two veiled the whole body.
"Francis wondered greatly at the appearance of so novel and marvelous a vision. But knowing that the weakness of suffering could nowise be reconciled with the immortality of the seraphic spirit, he understood the vision as a revelation of the Lord and that it was being presented to his eyes by Divine Providence so that the friend of Christ might be transformed into Christ crucified, not through martyrdom of the flesh, but through a spiritual holocaust.
"The vision, disappearing, left behind it a marvelous fire in the heart of Francis, and no less wonderful token impressed on his flesh. For there began immediately to appear in his hands and in his feet something like nails as he had just seen them in the vision of the Crucified. The heads of the nails in the hands and feet were round and black, and the points were somewhat long and bent, as if they had been turned back. On the right side, as if it had been pierced by a lance, was the mark of a red wound, from which blood often flowed and stained his tunic."
Thus far the account of St. Bonaventure. Although St. Francis strove in every way to conceal the marvelous marks which until then no man had seen, he was not able to keep them a complete secret from the brethren. After his death they were carefully examined, and they were attested by an ecclesiastical decree. To commemorate the importance of the five wounds, Pope Benedict XI instituted a special feast which is celebrated on September 17th, not only by all branches of the Franciscan Order, but also in the Roman missal and breviary.
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
O Lord Jesus Christ, who, to inflame our hearts with the fire of your love when the world was becoming cold in spirit, renewed in the flesh of most blessed Francis the sacred marks of your own Passion, graciously grant that by his merits and prayers we may steadfastly carry our cross and bring forth worthy fruits of penance.
HYMN from the Office of Readings
The mysteries of Jesus' passion Shone forth on Mount Alverna's height,
Where rays of merciful redemption Diffused their gentle saving light,
As Francis, rapt in contemplation, The Cross embraced throughout the night.
His fervent prayer in lone seclusion, His spirit soared to God on high;
The thought of Christ's most bitter passion Evoked from him a painful sigh;
His urge to share Christ's crucifixion Engulfed his soul in ecstasy.
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Then, lo, there came the King from heaven In garb of Seraphim arrayed.
His form, in angel wings enfolded, A kindly countenance displayed;
But then the Cross that bore his members His bitter sufferings portrayed.
The servant gazed upon his Savior, Once suffering, now glorified;
The light and splendor of the Father, But now so lowly, gentle, tried.
He understood the mystic message To no mere human words allied.
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The mountain peak burst forth in splendor, As neighbors wondered down below;
The heart of Francis throbbed intensely With flames of love for Christ aglow;
And presently upon his body Christ's passion wounds began to show.
Unto the Crucified be glory, Who takes away our guilt and sin.
Him Francis greatly loved and honored, In cross and suffering made akin,
And through his grace the world despising The crown of glory strove to win.
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Text taken from: Proper Offices of Franciscan Saints and Blesseds in the Liturgy of the Hours. September 17 – Feast of the Stigmata of our holy father Francis
