WENDELMUTA
WENDELMUTA
In the year 1527, a virtuous widow named Wendelmuta was martyred in Holland. Arrested for her Protestant beliefs, she was imprisoned in Werden Castle until she appeared before the general session of Holland. Several monks were appointed to convince her to recant, but she refused. She also refused the appeals of her family and friends, including a noble lady who was fond of her.
“Wendelmuta,” the lady said, “why don’t you be quiet and just believe in your heart?”
“You don’t know what you’re saying,” Wendelmuta replied. “It is written, ‘With the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.’”
On November 20, she was condemned as a heretic and ordered burned. Coming to the stake, Wendelmuta refused to kiss the cross a monk brought to her. She put a packet of gunpowder to her chest, gave her neck to be bound, and commended herself into God’s hands. Wendelmuta closed her eyes and meekly bowed her head. The fire was then set, and she was burned to ashes.