Trigger warning: mental health, incest
Our beautiful Catholic faith gives us the gifts of the saints. Regular, everyday people like you and I who profess the faith, turn their hearts towards the Lord and make it to Heaven. They are our examples in the good times and the bad. One saint during the month of May who we want to highlight here at The Little Rose Shop is St. Dympna. Her powerful and timeless intercession is one that we can and should call upon in our own lives.
St. Dymphna, born in the 6th century, is the patroness of those suffering from mental afflictions as well as victims of incest. Her incredible story is an insight as to why she holds this title.
Born in Ireland to a wealthy family, at the age of 14 Dymphna took a vow of chastity, consecrating herself to Christ. Tragedy struck her family when her beloved mother died unexpectedly. So wrought by grief and deeply misguided by his advisors, Dymphna’s father was told to marry his daughter. When he looked at her, he only saw his deceased wife.
Told of this evil and sinful plot, Dymphna escaped with a trusted confessor and servants, sailing to modern day Belgium. Unfortunately, her father found the group. He ordered her to marry him and she refused. In anger at Dymphna’s refusal, he drew his sword and beheaded her. Residents of the town collected her body and built a church in her honor.
People fled to the site and many miracles have been attributed to her intercession.
Most of us know of a loved one suffering from mental illness or can identify mental illness in ourselves. St. Dymphna is a beautiful intercessor when we seem to not know what to do in times of distress from mental illness. She is in heaven praying for us. What a comfort.
Her feast day is May 15th. Join us in saying this beautiful prayer from http://ourcatholicprayers.com .
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.
(Pray one Our Father, one Hail Mary and one Glory Be.)
Saint Dymphna, Virgin and Martyr, pray for us.