St. Dymphna, patron of those with mental afflictions, pray for us!

St. Dymphna is our Saint of the Day. Dymphna is a 7th century Irish saint, often invoked against mental illness.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - St. Dymphna was born to a petty Irish king and was desired by her father for marriage after the death of her mother. It was said that only Dymphna was as beautiful as her mother.

Although a teenager, Dymphna had already consecrated her life to Christ and taken a vow of chastity. When she learned of her father's intentions to marry her, she fled with the help of a priest and a few other members of the king's court.

Light a candle with your prayer.

The group fled to the area that is today Belgium and established a hospice for the poor and sick. The coins she used to pay the costs were eventually traced back to Ireland and her father learned of her whereabouts through the coins.

When the king arrived in Gheel, the place where the hospice was built, he ordered Dymphna to return with him. She refused and in a fit of rage he beheaded her.

Immediately following her burial in a nearby cave, visitors to the site reported miraculous healings of mental conditions. As a result, St. Dymphna became the patron saint for those who suffer from mental anguish and illness.

Dymphna is popular in Ireland and Europe, but is properly invoked against any mental problem. Can the veneration of St. Dymphna help you or someone in need?

We invite you to speak her prayer and wear her medal, available here.

Good Saint Dymphna, great wonder-worker in every affliction of mind and body, I humbly implore your powerful intercession with Jesus through Mary, the Health of the Sick, in my present need. (Mention it.) Saint Dymphna, martyr of purity, patroness of those who suffer with nervous and mental afflictions, beloved child of Jesus and Mary, pray to Them for me and obtain my request.

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