St. Dymphna is said to have lived in Ireland around the seventh century. When she was only 14, she took a vow of chastity. Her mother was very devout and passed away when Dymphna was young. After her mother’s death, her father’s mental state deteriorated. He wanted to marry Dymphna because she looked and acted similar to her late mother. Dymphna fled to Belgium. There, she built a hospital for the poor and the sick. Unfortunately, her father found her and murdered her when she was only 15 years old. She received the crown of martyrdom around 620. Following her death, many people made a pilgrimage to her remains and reported being cured of their mental afflictions after visiting the site. St. Dymphna is often portrayed holding a sword with a restrained devil at her feet. She is the patron saint of all those suffering from nervous and mental disorders. Her feast day is May 15. 

Questions for Reflection:

• Even though St. Dymphna fled to Belgium to escape her father, she still made an impact by building a hospital to help the poor and the sick. Are there ways you can still help others even in times of fear?
• How can you help friends or family struggling with mental health issues? 
• If you or someone you love is struggling with mental health issues and needs help, please call or text the National Institute of Mental Health at 988. They provide 24-hour confidential support to anyone needing mental health assistance.