Re: Stigmata
Stigmata comes from intense stress and imagination I believe. Some stigmatics had their right side pierced and some left (st francis of assisi). This difference can only mean that the person is producing the symptoms himself, it could also be possible that some spiritual power allows stigmatics to have wounds, blood etc as a way to increase people's faith. The cruxifiction was the greatest act of selflessness ever, and such acts have a power of their own.