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Reading Group Guide

Discussion Questions

Wounded: A Love Story

1. Stigmata is traditionally granted to those of extraordinary piety who identify with Christ’s suffering. Does Gina seem to be someone who is extraordinarily pious? Why or why not?

2. Gina says: “I know things about Jesus just because I’ve suffered. Sometimes I wonder if suffering isn’t a secret initiation into a special kind of intimacy with God.” How does Gina’s suffering bring her closer to God? Have you seen this in your own life?

3. When Ben goes to visit Gina he finds her “out of touch.” In what ways is she actually more aware than Ben?

4. Veronica has a great deal of self-loathing. How do her feelings of self-hatred affect the way that she views others?

5. Gina views her condition as an opportunity to share in the sufferings of Christ, yet Veronica looks at her as a “victim soul.” Do you think this label is more about how Veronica sees herself?

6. Do you know people, who, like Veronica, seem spiritually arrogant? How do you typically respond to these types of people? Did understanding Veronica’s story give you compassion for her?

7. Gina asks Priest to help her find her story --- why this happened to her. In what way does Gina’s search become Priest’s?

8. Do you think Gina’s condition is trivialized once it becomes a production? Can you draw any parallels to the church today?

9. In what way is Priest still judged within the church? Do you think there are times in your life where you see what you expect rather than what is? How can we guard against this?

10. Do you think that love inevitably leads to suffering? How has love caused you to suffer in your own life?

Wounded: A Love Story
by Claudia Mair Burney

  • Publication Date: September 1, 2008
  • Paperback: 384 pages
  • Publisher: David C. Cook
  • ISBN-10: 1434799387
  • ISBN-13: 9781434799388