The visible stigmata is what it sounds like, a stigmata that appears on ones hands, feet and side. Bleeds real blood, does not heal, or become infected, does not heal when physicians apply different remedies, and is not inflicted on ones self, or by someone else. Someone with a visible stigmata is also (in modern times) observed and has a psychiatrist (sometimes more than one) assess them as well as other medical professionals to rule out any natural or human sources of the stigmata. Both Visible and Invisible stigmatas are found among people (lay and clergy) who have a reputation for great holiness.

Someone who has only have the sufferings, without any outward marks, and these phenomena are called invisible stigmata.

There have been many people who have claimed to have the stigmata who have been proven after investigation by Church and Secular sources to be false stigmatists.