The book 'The Passion of Christ' is based upon was written by Sister Anne Catherine Emmerich, a Catholic nun, who was a Visionary, Mystic and Stigmatist, who had wounds of Jesus that bled.

To read about it go to: http://www.aquinasandmore.com/index.cfm/FuseAction/store.ItemDetails/SKU/1524/s/181

Amother link tells more about Anne Catherine Emmerich: http://www.pdtsigns.com/melgibson.html

Mel addressed briefly how he found this book-- "The Dolorous Passion of Our Lord": http://www.passion-movie.com/promote/book.html

From the CWM monthly mailer. Here is an article: "3f...Mel Gibson -- Passionate box Office Hit. Mel Gibson has aroused passion about his film showing the last 12 hours of Jesus as a human being. The Jews are furious that he is making them bear the responsibility of the Crucifixion. The Roman Catholic adviser (Gibson is a member of a RCC sect) claims that some of the detail isn't accurate. Gibson hasn't helped with his claiming his work will correct all the mistakes of previous versions of the Gospel. Oh and from whom did he get the "correct " version? None other than Sister Anne Catherine Emmerich who indulges in hypnotic visions. Right! As a teenager apparently Gibson toyed with the idea of becoming a priest -- perhaps just as well he didn't. ( 'NZ Herald' August 2003. 'Independent' & 'Daily Telegraph' September 2003)

http://www.christian-witness.org/past_mailers/dec03mm.html