Dymphna was born in Ireland in the 7th century. Dymphna’s father Damon was a petty king of Oriel. Her mother was a devout Christian.
When Dymphna was 14 years old, she consecrated herself to Christ and took a vow of chastity. Shortly thereafter, her mother died. Damon had loved his wife deeply, and in the aftermath of her death, his mental health sharply deteriorated. Eventually, the king’s counselors pressed him to remarry. Damon agreed, but only on the condition that his bride would be as beautiful as his deceased wife. After searching fruitlessly, Damon began to desire his daughter because of her strong resemblance to her mother.
She escaped from her father and lead a hidden life serving the poor. But her father chased her and was finally found by the soldiers he had sent. The king, her father, ordered that to kill her. She was killed by stabbing a sword. She became a martyr for saving her chastity.
Patron Saint of Courage
This young virgin martyr is the patron saint of those with mental, nervous, and spiritual afflictions. Tradition says that several mentally ill people were wandering around where she was killed and spent the night there. They awoke completely healed of their mental afflictions.
Another tradition says that those who visited her tomb in Geel, Belgium were cured of mental illness and epilepsy. Thus, she earned her patronage of the mentally ill and those struggling with anxiety and depression.
How She Can Help Us
As with any saint, we can ask St. Dymphna to intercede for us with her own prayers before God. When we suffer from depression and anxiety.
Managing Our Mental Health with St. Dymphna’s Help
Our mental health should be a priority always. But the least bothered matter we consider is the same mental health. We should be taken care of our mental health, otherwise, we can get serious psychosomatic diseases that may swallow our life completely.
You can invite St. Dymphna into your lives to help us live in the peace of Christ, even in turbulent times:
Pray for St. Dymphna’s Intercession.
Incorporating a simple “St. Dymphna, pray for me” throughout our day or praying a longer prayer for intercession like this one is one of the easiest ways to invite St. Dymphna into our lives. We can ask for her intercession in times of anxiety and stress, and also ask for her to pray for our family members, as well. Spending time in silence contemplating her life and martyrdom can be an edifying spiritual practice you do every day or every time you feel anxious.