The Mystery of the Stigmata: St. Francis Transformed into Christ Crucified

About this sermon

In September 1224, two years before his death, St. Francis of Assisi withdrew to Mount La Verna in the Apennines for prayer, fasting, and contemplation. During a forty-day fast in honor of St. Michael the Archangel, Francis received an extraordinary vision that would leave the wounds of Jesus Christ upon his body. Near the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, St. Francis saw a glorious, fiery seraph descending from Heaven. The angel possessed six wings—but also appeared crucified. Francis was filled simultaneously with sorrow at the sight of the Passion and joy at the seraph’s loving gaze. The vision taught him that he would be transformed into the likeness of Christ Crucified, not through bodily martyrdom but through the consuming love of his soul. When the vision disappeared, the wounds of the Crucifixion appeared in Francis’s hands, feet, and side. Drawing upon the account of St. Bonaventure, this narration explores: • St. Francis’s withdrawal to Mount La Verna • His balance between apostolic work and contemplation • The forty-day fast in honor of St. Michael • The mysterious appearance of the crucified seraph • Francis’s mixture of supernatural joy and sorrow • The wounds appearing in his hands, feet, and side • The spiritual meaning of conformity to Christ Crucified • His descent from the mountain bearing Christ’s wounds St. Bonaventure writes that the true love of Christ had transformed Francis into the same image. He descended from the mountain bearing the likeness of the Crucified—not carved upon wood or stone, but written upon his living flesh by the finger of God. The traditional Feast of the Stigmata of St. Francis is celebrated on September 17. St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us. 00:00 St. Francis withdraws from the world 00:15 The journey to Mount La Verna 00:31 Francis enters solitude with Brother Leo 00:47 St. Bonaventure on action and contemplation 01:12 Laboring for souls and seeking silence 01:42 Francis is led to the holy mountain 02:00 The forty-day fast for St. Michael 02:08 A remarkable apparition appears 02:15 The six-winged seraph descends 02:24 Francis sees the seraph crucified 02:49 Sorrow and supernatural joy 03:14 The seraph speaks to Francis’s heart 03:22 Conformity to Jesus Christ Crucified 03:40 Francis’s heart is set aflame 03:57 The wounds appear in his hands and feet 04:06 The wound in St. Francis’s side 04:24 United to the sufferings of Christ 04:47 Transformed by the true love of Christ 05:04 Francis descends from Mount La Verna 05:12 Written upon his flesh by God 05:20 Closing prayer For more please visit https://svfonline.org/ & remember to say 3 Hail Marys for the priest priest #StFrancis #Stigmata #Catholic #Bonaventure #BrotherLeo #MountLaVerna #Seraphim #ExaltationOfTheHolyCross #StMichael #TraditionalCatholic #Franciscan #CatholicSaints #HolyWounds #Prayer #PaxEtBonum 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 ✝️ SUPPORT THE MISSION 🙏 Donate https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ 📬 Free Catholic Newsletter https://sensusfidelium.com/newsletter/ 📰 Read on Substack https://sensusfidelium.substack.com/ ──────────────────── 📺 WATCH & READ 📺 Sensus Fidelium App https://sensusfidelium.tv/ 📚 Sensus Fidelium Press https://sensusfideliumpress.com/ 👕 Official Merchandise https://sensusfidelium.com/merchandise/ ──────────────────── 🤝 PARTNER WITH US 📣 Advertise on Sensus Fidelium https://sensusfidelium.com/advertise-with-sensus-fidelium/ 🎤 Invite Steve Cunningham to Speak https://sensusfidelium.com/speaking/ ⛪ Parish Formation & Consultation https://sensusfidelium.com/for-parishes/ ──────────────────── 🌎 CATHOLIC COMMUNITY ✝️ Trusted Catholic Businesses https://sensusfidelium.com/catholic-businesses/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴

Topics

• Jesus Christ