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BIBLIOGRAPHY: C. I. Nitzseh, Rudolph'SEier GZa Theologe, Barmen, 1865; G. and F. Stier, Ewald Rudolf Stier, 2d ed. Wittenberg, 1871; J. P. Lacroix, The Life of R. Stier, New York, 1874; M. A. Landerer, Neueste Dopmengeachichte, p. 371, Heilbronn, 1881.

STIGEL, sti'gel (STIGELIUS), JOHANN: German humanist; b. at Frimar, near Goths (77 m. s.w. of Leipsic), May 13, 1515; d. at Jena Feb. 11, 1562. Johann Stigel was a man who held a prominent position in the Wittenberg circle of Melanchthonian humanists, because of his extraordinary endowments. He entered the University of Wittenberg, 1531, where he first studied the ancient languages; and, later, medicine, physics, and astronomy; and soon became famous through his poems. By 1541 he was at Regensburg; and for a congratulatory poem to Charles V., GermanicH epistola grattdatoria (1541), he received the imperial thanks and the title, poets larsreatus. In 1543 he received the professors Terentiana at the University of Wittenberg, and lectured on Terence, Hesiod, and Ovid. At the outbreak of the Schmalkald war he removed to Weimar, and, in 1547, to Jena, where he, with Victorinus Strigel, established a higher gymnasium, teaching rhetoric and poetics. This was the foundation of the new university, at the dedication of which, 1558, he delivered the oration. Difficult was his somewhat neutral position in the Philippist controversy (see PHILIPPIST$), on account of his friendships in both camps, and just before the downfall of Flacius, 1561, it became almost intolerable. His poems indicate a pious and pure heart, and include elegies on Johann Friedrich, duke of Saxony, and Luther. Collections were published, as Poemata (in 9 books, Jena, 1566-72; 2 vole., 1577; 3 vole.; 1600-01.). A German hymn may be found in Kirchenlied, iv. 541 (Leipsie, 1862-77) by C. E. P. Wackernagel; and his Latin spiritual hymns (ib., i. 481-490). Besides, he was author of Oratio de origine et uslc serncortis (1559); Annotationes in Quintiliani instilulionnm librum x., in P. Melanchthon's Annotationes in Quintilionum, 1570; and De anima commentarii, Melunchthonis explicatio

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Among sources are his correspondence, in CR, vole. iii.-ix. Consult: K. GSttling, Vita J. Stigelii

STIGMATIZATION: The spontaneous formation of wounds on the persons of Christians similar to those received by Christ from the crown of thorns, crucifixion, and the spear. No reports of stigmatization date earlier than the thirteenth century, Francis of Assisi (q.v.) being the first who was affected with it, this taking place in 1224 at Mt : Alverna in the Apennines. Besides his, the Roman Catholic Church relates about eighty other cases, some of them exhibiting only a, partial stigmatization; not all, however, are so strongly attested as that of Francis. Single cases of stigmatization have been observed even in recent times, attested both by men of repute and by many thousands who observed them. A case of this kind is that of Anna Katherina Emmerich (b. of pious peasants in 1774 near Coesfeld, 20 m. w. of Munster). From her youth she showed deep religious feelings sad a rare modesty and humility. In 1803 she entered the convent of Agnetenberg, where she was affected with chronic illness. Soon after 1811 her body began to show complete stigmatization, which remained with her until 1819, when the scars were healed after prayer, though every Friday they assumed a red color and exuded blood. A similar case is that of Maria von Morl (b. 1812 at Kaltern, 61 m. s. of Innsbruck, d. 1868), who showed stigmata in side, hands, and feet, witnessed by over 40,000 persons. The most recent instance is that of Louise Lateau of Bois d'Haine near Charleroi, 30 m. s. of Brussels (b. 1850; d. Aug. 25, 1883). Stigmatization may, therefore, be accepted as a fact, but its explanation is to be sought.

Roman Catholics regard stigmatization as a miracle, and Gregory IX:, Alexander IV., and other popes have put themselves on record in the case of St. Francis. But the phenomenon may be explained .in a natural way. . The human soul possesses not only normal but what pass as abnormal powers. A work of art, for instance, owes its origin not merely to reason, but also to a subconscious instinct for creation. The same instinct appears in dream life, while unconscious powers direct the functions of the human organism. It is noteworthy that St. Francis and the other notable examples among the stigmatized suffered from morbid conditions from which an excess of psychic influence upon a morbidly inclined and weak body is intelligible. Protestants, therefore, while admitting stigmatization, do not attach to it the same value a$ Roman Catholics; on the other hand, it is admitted that stigmatization shows itself only in those who in glowing love have devoted themselves to the Savior.

(JULIU$ HAMBERGER.t)

The phenomenon is one that is known outside religious circles. The exudation of blood. through the skin is recognized by the medical profession and is described in many books on dermatology. There is, of course, no miracle in connection with the phenomenon.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: The literature under FRANCIS, SAINT, OP Assisi, especially the life (French and English) by P, Sa-