[.ca] They Bore the Wounds of Christ: The Mystery of the ... (ISBN 0879734221)

Excellent book on stigmata.:
I've read this book a while back and am strongly considering reading it again. It is that good and it has pictures of the modern day stigmatists (when I say modern I mean 20th century). Some of these pictures were very eye popping. It makes you really understand how much Jesus loved humanity to go through the pain and suffering he went through. The book is very informative and well researched. I even saw the author on a television special where they were speaking about the stigmata and they spoke about his book there. Some people wonder if stigmata is real or if it is self inflicted. I think this book shows the difference between the real mystical stigmata and wounds that are self inflicted. I also found out while reading this book that people can be deceived b/c the devil can also plant the marks on people. Research is always done to every case before the stigmata is considered authentic. I recommend this book to anyone who would like to learn more about the stigmata. Like I said before, the book is very well written and researched. I only wish there were more books on this subject available.

An In Depth Investigation Into A Sacred Mystery:
Upon reading this in depth, and graphic account of the mysteries of the stigmata, I was inspired to investigate the phenomenon in a far more focused, and intelligent manner. I'll be the first to admit that in the past I viewed the stigmata as little more than a medical condition on the lesser scale, and horrid act of self-mutilation on the higher. Upon reading this book however I began to see the sacred stigmata for what it was, a miraculous, and painful test of human faith in the man known to the world as the Christ, Jesus of Nazareth. This book (set out in almost a textbook fashion) details the visions, and stimatas of a number of already well-known, and documented stigmatists such as Anne Catherine Emmerich, Padre Pio, and Saint Theresa. This book gives a detailed account of a lot of their "afflictions", etc. and is a definite must read for anyone interested in the sacred stigmata, and it's meaning for the world as a whole.