Stigmata

The Stigmata is a very rare and unique medical condition in which the recipient bears the wounds that Jesus received when he was crucified. The first person in recorded history to receive this wound was St. Francis. He was on a fast on Mt. Alverna. Francis was visited by an angel who appeared to be on a crucifix, and proceeded to inflict Francis with the wounds. Another example of a saint who received these marks was Padre Pio. What was unique about his stigmata was the fact that after a while they disappeared, and some time later they reappeared again. One case that struck me as particularly unique was that of Anneliese Michel. She was a young German woman who grew up in a very strict catholic home. During her late teen years, she began to hear voices from what she claimed were demons. When she was finally exorcised a few years later, she received the marks of the stigmata.
Over the centuries, nobody has been able to find a scientific or medical explanation of the stigmata. It is hard to image how blood sores would show up in those specific places. It is also strange that the spots of blood never become infected during the time they are on the victim. I personally believe that people receive them for strictly religious reasons. I believe that Francis received his as a sign from Christ that he was correctly emulating the life of Jesus.