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A Polish nun's spiritual diary has brought to light a hidden chapter of Christ's Passion. Servant of God Sister Leonia Nastal, born in 1903, was a member of the Little Servant Sisters of the Immaculate Conception. Despite her early death at 37 during World War II, her mystical experiences continue to impact believers today.
Described as a living saint, Sister Leonia was recognized by locals for her spiritual presence, confirmed posthumously by phenomena such as warmth and floral scents emanating from her body. Her process for sainthood began in 1976, and on December 2, 2016, Pope Francis issued a decree highlighting the heroic virtues she embodied.
Sister Leonia is renowned as a significant mystic in Polish religious tradition. Her revelations, including those on Divine Mercy, parallel other Polish mystics like Sister Faustina Kowalska. She began having mystical visions of Jesus and the Passion in 1934. Instructed by Jesus, she documented these dialogues, resulting in a spiritual journal, "I Believed in Love", which received church approval for publication.
One of the striking revelations occurred on February 26, 1936. Jesus showed her a vision of His torture on Holy Thursday, providing a narrative of the events following His capture. Jesus reportedly described being thrown into a prison cell and subjected to brutal treatment by his captors, an ordeal endured in silence and mercy toward his antagonists.
Father Leszek Smoliński emphasized the spiritual significance of these mystical accounts. "The spiritual diaries of the church’s mystics introduce us to the world of grace, the discovery of which can deepen our faith and personal piety," he explained, stressing that private revelations must align with Church doctrine to be deemed authentic.
Sister Leonia's diary also noted Jesus' continued mercy towards His captors during his ordeal, expressing sweetness and kindness despite the severe torment.
Agnieszka Bugala reports for OSV News from Wroclaw, Poland.
