The New York herald., 1873-04-27
TEE STIGMATA.

TEE STIGMATA.
Mysterious Phenomenon i'm San Fran
cisco-Marks or the Wounds Of Our
Saviour ON . Young Woman-Wonsicr-
full Restoration to Health-A Scientific
Examination to Take Place.
San Francisco Is considerably exercised concern
Ing strange and, SO far, unaccountable phe-
nomenon which has occurred to young woman In
that city. 1t Is stated that she has been visited by
the stigmata marks OF the crucinxiOn, or, In
other words, the wounds on the body of Christ
after death. The phenomenon which, 1t is alleged,
has occurred several times since Gooa Friday last
is vouched for by priest of eminent standing and
by ladies' and gentlemen OF the highest
character. 1t Is the first case of the
kind reported in America, though many similar
ones are represented to have occurred
in other countries There has been an evident
desire on the part OF the wonan's friends to avoid
giving the matter publicity, but the particulars
have sec0me generally known. 1t is proposed, be-
fore going any lurther, that careful and searching
examination be made by scientific men and all
doubts set at rest as to this wonderful inhcton.
Meantime 1t is not denied that there may be fraud
in the matter or that the person who is the subject
oil these sanguineous marks may have been, by re-
ligious lervor, induced to produce them with her
own hands or by col!usion with others.
MISS COLLINS.
Miss Collins, the young woman in question, is the
daughter OF a man who, being steward, intermar-
ried with the stewardess OF vessel plying
between England and Australia Collins Is
not Catholic. About three years ago the
daughter, who Is a native Of England arrived
in San Francisco, and, owing to afelcitles
in the family, she placed herself under the protec-
tion Of the Sisters Of Notre Dame, by whom she
was educated. Miss Collins has always been ia
delicate health, and has frequently been at the
point OF death. She has had periodical attacks OF
the heart disease and pulmonary congestion from
which she has suffered intensely After leaving
the convent she with another young lady, COM
menced the practice OF charitable actsvisting the
slcf, clothing the destitute and instructing young
children. They received the cooperation OF many
benevolent persons, ana the Archbishop OF San
Francisco not alone approved OF their pIous labors
but paid the rent oI the house in which they re-
sided.
MISS COLLINS DYING.
1t is stated that one day last January Miss
Collins was seized with most violent attack OF
convulsI0ns, and on being taken to her home was
again seized by congestion OF the lungs, followed
clan herself and ali her friends were convinced
that there was no hope OF her recovery. She took
leave OF those who stood by her bedside and made
that night the persons present believed her dying
If not dead. The attendants recited the prayers
s Gnarp o H1ss 10 the of
concluded al! was over; but, to their thi' utter sisr
she wished to write. They gave her pencil
and paper, on which she requested certain dev0.
tions to commence. The attendants state that they
complied, and perceived that Miss Collins joined
mentally In the prayers. As soon as she ended she
reached out her hands Tor the cruci6x, Which she
ter partaking OF some water the patient rose and
declared, with beaming countenance, and In
lay down quietly and slept several hours, without
sign or motion. When awakened she cat heartily
and seemed
QUITE RESTORED TO HEALTH.
Since that time Miss Collins has never for a mo-
ment suffered from any OF those diseases to which
she had before been victim, aud which mora
than once had brought her to DEATHS door. on
being questioned about her recovery she stated
that Immediately previous to her restoration to
health the Blessed Virgin spoke to her In q voice
clear and musical, but as II 1t were coming from
aTar directing her what TO do in order to recover
counsel Tor her own guidance. The change in her
physical condition is regarded by all conversant
with the facts as seemingly miraculous, and, con-
trasting the subsequent excellent health
of Miss Collins with her former miserable
state, there would appear to be no doubt
that she was saved by the merclful interposition
OF the Almighty, provided the witnesses have not
been grossly deceived. After some weeks she ex-
perenced, without any assignable natural cause,
an intense pain in her temples, which caused her
incalcuable anguish. These suncrings suddenly
passed away but in the course OF a few days re-
no perceptiDle marks on any portion OF her body,
but during her suierings she felt an acute pain In
On the Friday before Good Friday last she expe-
rienced these pains In the same parts, and ON that
THE sT1GMATA, OR MARKS OF OUR sAvIoUR's
WOUNDS,
became clearly visible on the backs Of her hands,
and blood oozed from her left side, the heart.
several persons witnessed the stgmatA on this
occasion, but were loth to reveal the TACT, pre-
lrsrIlhg to await further developments. On Holy
on Good Friday the stigmata appeared on the sur
lace OF both hands and upon the upper surface Of
the day her suderings were indescribable, aud
We're We're witnessed by 2 large number Of p peo-
hoe, OF the nriu OF Eugene Kelly 4 Co.,
bankers; John Sullivan and wife, Sir ID. J. Oliver,
Of Rsy Dr. Megynn Of tins city,
at-aw; Emmett Doyle. brother-inaw or Senator
casseriy; Doctor raylirki. z. y. osnllivan and
Francisco. Besides these ladies and gentlemen
Very Rev. Father Prendergast, Vlcar-General OF
the diocese corroborates the previous statements.
The next day Miss Collins attended divine scrvcn.
and was, up to last dates, In the enjoyment OF ex.
celent health.
A SCIENTIFIC EXAMINATION TO TAKE PLACE.
The young woman will be subjected to thorough
examination and If fraud is practised 1t can easily
be discovered. The marks on her person and an.
pearance OF blood with attending circumstances /,
would be diticult TO ascrbe to natural causes. She
Is vonched ior az pure and her reputation Is be-
yond question ana Is held mp az a model OF Chris.
tian conduct and exemplary life. The stigma Ia ia
OF comparatively late origin. st. Francis OF AS
sissium, who died in 1926, bore them. since
them. according to work recently pub
lished by Or. lmbert Gourledge. there has
been no less than 145 In Gorzes' fa-
nous book on Mysticism numerous instances
are recorded and which were tested. The way in
which Maria Won Emerich and Veronica Guigiani
were put to the test was severe and critical as
actually to border upon cruelty. In the present
case the Catholic clergy in California carefully alb
staiii from committing themselves to any endorse
ment OF these alleged extraordinary appearances.
They however, as stated, have invited several
scientific men to examine the condition OF Miss
collins closely and exhaustively. Representatives
oil The newspapers have called upon and conversed
WIN the lady; but she has made IL a rule, by the
advice OF her spiritual directors, to avoid making
any statements beyond admitting correctness OF
published reports, and that she feels herself bound
more than ever to continue In works OF charity
The Monitor Catholic newspaper c0n1rms the
particulars given in reference TO MISS Collins,