Forward from: Ecce Verbum
In what century do we find the earliest memory of stigmata appearing on the body of a saint?
In the 7th century. The saint in question is St. Ansbert of Rouen, bishop, who died in 695.
The word "stigmata" (taken from Gal 6:17) was used from the first centuries of Christianity, but it was understood as general signs of afflictions and sufferings experienced in the life of a disciple of Christ. However, in the life of St. Ansbert, written shortly after his death we read a surprising testimony - that red "sign[s] of the Lord's cross" were discovered on the body of the deceased. And although the exact form of these signs is uncertain (wounds? just stains?), this is the first example of stigmata understood as a real sign of the wounds of the Lord's Passion on the body of a saint.
🔗source
In the 7th century. The saint in question is St. Ansbert of Rouen, bishop, who died in 695.
The word "stigmata" (taken from Gal 6:17) was used from the first centuries of Christianity, but it was understood as general signs of afflictions and sufferings experienced in the life of a disciple of Christ. However, in the life of St. Ansbert, written shortly after his death we read a surprising testimony - that red "sign[s] of the Lord's cross" were discovered on the body of the deceased. And although the exact form of these signs is uncertain (wounds? just stains?), this is the first example of stigmata understood as a real sign of the wounds of the Lord's Passion on the body of a saint.
🔗source