This year marks the 800th anniversary of the miraculous imprinting of the sacred wounds of Christ’s Passion, the stigmata, on St. Francis of Assisi in 1224. The occasion will be commemorated by the Marked With the Wounds of Christ Conference at Franciscan University Steubenville from September 12-14, 2024.
According to a press release, the Conference will include formal academic papers on the subject, sacred liturgies, a performance by the Sacred Music Program, and student presentations. The stigmata will be the focus of the three-day event.
St. Francis is the first person recorded to have miraculously receive the wounds of Christ. Presentations will explore the evidence of St. Francis’ stigmata; the implications of the stigmata in relation to Christian theology, philosophy, and anthropology; as well as its legacy in the history of the Franciscan order and the Catholic Church.
Transformed by love
Father Jonathan St. André, TOR, vice president for Franciscan Life, commented:
“Franciscan University’s mission is to educate, evangelize, and send forth joyful disciples. It is a blessing for us to celebrate the legacy of St. Francis, who was a disciple of Jesus Christ and was so transformed by love that he bore the very wounds of his Master. We are excited to celebrate the conversion that Francis experienced through his encounter with the Crucified Christ as we recognize that this is our call as followers of Christ today.”
Learn more about this three day commemoration of the stigmata of St. Francis of Assisi at Franciscan University Steubenville.
And today we celebrate...