Mary of Jesus de León y Delgado

La Siervita de Dios

Mary of Jesus de León y Delgado (1643–1731), also known as La Siervita, was a Spanish Dominican lay sister celebrated for her mystical experiences and veneration in the Canary Islands, particularly on Tenerife. Born in El Sauzal, she joined the Dominican convent of Santa Catalina de Siena in San Cristóbal de La Laguna without taking religious vows, living a life of extreme asceticism and reported miracles, including bilocation and prophetic visions. Her incorrupt body, displayed in the convent, attracts pilgrims.

Biography

Mary of Jesus de León y Delgado was born on March 23, 1643, in El Sauzal, Tenerife, Canary Islands, to a humble family. At a young age, she felt a calling to religious life. Despite her family's poverty, she entered the Dominican convent of Santa Catalina de Siena in San Cristóbal de La Laguna as a lay sister, dedicating her life to prayer and service without taking formal religious vows.

Throughout her life, Mary of Jesus was known for her deep spiritual experiences, which included visions, prophetic insights, and mystical encounters with saints and angels. Her contemporaries also reported miraculous occurrences such as bilocation, where she was seen in two places simultaneously, and the ability to survive on minimal sustenance, as part of her ascetic practices.

After her death on February 15, 1731, Mary of Jesus de León y Delgado was venerated for her holiness and the miracles attributed to her intercession. Her body, which is said to have remained incorrupt, is preserved and displayed in a glass coffin at the convent where she lived. This site has become a place of pilgrimage, drawing visitors from across the Canary Islands and beyond.

Veneration

The process for her beatification began in the 18th century but has not yet concluded, leaving her with the title of Servant of God. Despite this, her legacy in the Canary Islands is significant, with a strong devotion among the faithful. Her feast day is celebrated on February 15, the anniversary of her death.

Legacy

Mary of Jesus de León y Delgado is remembered not only for her mystical experiences and miracles but also for her life of humility, service, and deep faith. She remains an important figure in the religious and cultural history of the Canary Islands, symbolizing the enduring spiritual heritage of the region.