Is there a Saint for the Mentally Ill?

St. La Salle is the patron saint of teachers. Physicians, artists, surgeons, and students have St. Luke but who is the Saint for the Mentally Ill? Read the whole article to find out.

Source: www.monasteryicons.com

In 7th century a girl named Dymphna was born in Ireland, her father is pagan and her mother is a devout Christian. When she became fourteen, she consecrated herself to Christ and with this he took a vow of chastity. After taking her vow of chastity, her mother died and her father who had deeply his mother grieved heavily. Due to his mother’s death his father’s mental stability began to suffer and deteriorate rapidly.

Because of her father’s mental instability, the King’s counselors suggested that he remarry. However, he was deeply grieving for his wife and he made a condition that he would remarry if a woman resembles his wife. He stated that he would only remarry if a woman is as beautiful as Dymphna’s mother.

Damon (Dymphna’s father) sent messengers throughout the lands to look for a woman. His requirements includes that the woman must be of noble birth, must resemble his late wife and would be willing to marry him. Despite of his efforts to find the perfect woman, none could be found. His evil advisors stepped in and whispered sinful suggestions to just marry his own daughter. With his deteriorating mental state, he took the suggestion and got his thoughts twisted on marrying his own daughter.

Dymphna was able to know her father’s plan, with this she fled her castle with a priest and confessor named Gerebran. Dympha and Priest Gerebran with two trusted servants, and a king’s fool sailed to Belgium and hid in the town of Geel.

After settling in the town of Geel, Dymphna built a hospital for the poor and sick using her wealth. Her wealth and influence enable her father to locate her in Geel, Belgium.

Damon found her and traveled to Geel and he was able capture them. He demanded that the priest’s head to be separated from his body and attempted to convince his daughter to marry him and return to Ireland.

Dymphna refused and made Damon enraged and unsheathed his sword. Because of his rage he struck Dymphna’s head from her shoulders and left her lying on the ground. Dymphna was only fifteen-years old when she died. His father left after the incidents, and residents of Geel collected the remains of Dymphna and Gerebran. Their remains were brought by the residents in a cave.

In the year 620, Dymphna received the crown of martyrdom and was given the title of “Lily of Éire”. In the year 1349, a church was built in Geel to honor St. Dymphna, there are many pilgrims that were arriving in the need of treatment for mental illness. With this, the church expanded but the sanctuary was eventually overflowing again. With the large quantities of people, townspeople accept them into their homes, this began the tradition to care for the mentally ill which still continues to this day.

Sadly, the original St. Dymphna church in Geel was burned to the ground in the 15th century. However, the Church of St. Dymphna was erecred and consecrated in 1532, where it is located where she was laid to rest.

On the other hand, Father Gerebran was also sainted, and his remains were moved to Xanted, Germany.

There are many miracles recorded that took place in her shrine. Miracles of healing the mental and emotional disturbances of people were recorded. With this, Saint Dymphna was known as the patroness of those suffering with nervous and mental afflictions as well as victims of incest.

Prayer to Saint Dymphna:

Hear us, O God, Our Saviour, as we honor St. Dymphna, patron of those afflicted with mental and emotional illness. Help us to be inspired by her example and comforted by her merciful help. Amen.

Source

Catholic Online. (n.d.). St. Dymphna - Saints & Angels. Retrieved November 28, 2018, from https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=222