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Depressed? Here’s a Patron Saint for You

St. Dymphna wants to help the depress people see the beauty of life once again.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, an “estimated 16.1 million adults” suffer from depression on a yearly basis. Depression is a major health problem across the globe, with millions seeking help from anti-depressant medications and mental health professionals.

The source of depression is always complex and requires the appropriate medical attention. Each person has different struggles and support system comes in different degree.

On the spiritual side there are many saints who can be invoked to provide their heavenly aid. One saint particular is St. Dymphna, known for her intercession for those suffering mental disorders, depression and anxiety.

St. Dymphna is born in Ireland in 7th century, she was the daughter of a pagan chieftain and a Christian mother.

St. Dymphna’s mother past away while she was a teenager; and her father began to make advances on her which made her promptly fled the country.

She reached Belgium and stayed in a city called Geel. St. Dymphna filled with her bitterness as she ran away and hides herself; while her father continues to search for her until he finds her. Dymphna refused her father’s continued advances and for that, he killed her.

In the Middle Ages a church housing her relics was dedicated to St. Dymphna in Geel. Hundreds of pilgrims came from all over Europe seeking healing from their mental illnesses. Countless miracles were credited to her intercession and the city of Geel became a center for treating mentally ill patients. Treatment focused on patients whose life took part actively in town of Geel returning to the hospital at night. It was a groundbreaking community-based treatment that was in stark contrast to the asylums that treated the mentally ill as criminals who needed to be locked up.

Here is a short prayer to St. Dymphna to place those suffering mental illness into her loving hands.

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.

Other patron saints to invoke are St. Philomena, St. Margaret of Cortona, St. Raphael the Archangel and St. Benedict Joseph Labre. Blessed St. Louis Martin, father of St. Therese of Lisieux is also believed to have suffered from depression during her life; her intercession is also sought by many.

Other Prayers to St. 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.

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Lord, our God, you graciously chose St. Dymphna as patroness of those afflicted with mental and nervous disorders. She is thus an inspiration and a symbol of charity to the thousands who ask her intercession.

Please grant, Lord, through the prayers of this pure youthful martyr, relief and consolation to all suffering such trials, and especially those for whom we pray. (Here mention those for whom you wish to pray).

We beg you, Lord, to hear the prayers of St. Dymphna on our behalf. Grant all those for whom we pray patience in their sufferings and resignation to your divine will. Please fill them with hope, and grant them the relief and cure they so much desire.

We ask this through Christ our Lord who suffered agony in the garden. Amen.

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