Gertrude van der Oosten

Gertrude was born in Voorburcht in the County of Holland, to peasant parents, and entered domestic service at Delft.

After living a pious life for many years and being jilted by her fiancé,[1] Gertrude obtained admission into the beguinage in Delft.

Here, though not a nun, or bound by religious vows, she profited by the ample opportunities for contemplation afforded by life in this community.

She is believed to have received the Stigmata in the Good Friday of the year 1340:[1] "while she lay prostrate before a crucifix, red blood began to gush from her hands, feet, and side and continued to do so seven times that day for every canonical hour, and for days after.

"[2] She begged God that this grace might be withdrawn, and her prayer was granted to the degree that the blood ceased to flow, but the marks of the Stigmata remained.