Erfgoed Delft

The Sicilian martyr Agatha was chosen as patron saint of the convent. While it is uncertain why she was chosen this seems related to the fact that Alijd, the Mother Superior, had a daughter named Agatha. She joined the convent together with her mother and succeeded her to become Mother Superior in 1409. The martyr, Agatha died in Catania, Sicily in 251. Her faith strengthened despite enduring cruel tortures. Her breasts were cut off with a red-hot pair of tongs. The tongs and breasts are therefore St Agatha's attributes often seen in pictures of her. After these tortures Saint Peter visited Agatha in her cell and healed her wounds. But following more tortures with burning hot coal she died. In the Delft convent both an altar and a high altar were dedicated to St Agatha, as well as an altar dedicated to the Virgin Mary and one to St Barbara.