Mystical experience of St. Francis with the Guardian Angel

St. Francis, still young, left the comforts of life, stripped himself of all goods and embraced the path of suffering, solely for the love of Jesus Crucified. Behind his example, other men left the joyful life and became his companions in the apostolate.

Jesus enriched him with spiritual gifts and gave him a grace, which he had not done to anyone else in previous centuries. He wanted to make it similar to himself, giving it the five wounds. This fact went down in history with the name "Impression of the stigmata".

St. Francis, two years before dying, had gone to Mount Verna, beginning the rigorous fasting, which was to last forty days. The Saint thus wanted to honor the Prince of the Celestial Militia, St. Michael the Archangel. One morning, while praying, he saw a Seraphim descend from heaven, who had six bright and fiery wings. The Saint looked at the Angel who descended with radiant flight and having him near, he realized that besides being winged he was also crucified, that is, he had his arms outstretched and his hands pierced by nails, as well as his feet; the wings were arranged in a strange way: two were pointed upwards, two stretched out as if to fly and two surrounded the body, as if to veil it.

St. Francis contemplated the Seraphim, feeling great spiritual joy, but he wondered why an angel, pure spirit, could suffer the pains of the crucifixion. Seraphim made him understand that he had been sent by God to signify that he should have had the martyrdom of love in the form of the Crucified Jesus.

The Angel disappeared; St. Francis saw that five wounds had appeared in his body: his hands and feet were pierced and spilled blood, as well as the side was open and the blood that came out soaked the tunic and the hips. Out of humility the Saint would have liked to hide the great gift, but since this was impossible, he returned to the will of God. The wounds remained open for two more years, that is until death. After St. Francis, others received the stigmata. Among them is P. Pio of Pietrelcina, Cappuccino.

Stigmata bring great pain; yet they are a very special gift from the Divinity. Pain is a gift from God, because with it you are more detached from the world, you are forced to turn to the Lord with prayer, you discount sins, you attract grace for yourself and for others and you earn merit for the Paradise. The Saints knew how to evaluate suffering. Lucky them!