St. Dymphna (7th century) was born to a pagan father and a Christian mother. When she was fourteen years old she consecrated her life to Christ and took on the vow of chastity. When her mother died, her father Damon deeply grieved his wife's death. One of the advisors suggested that Damon remarry soon. Although Damon was still grieving the loss of his wife, he searched for a wife who was just as noble as his dead wife. When the advisors could not find anyone, they suggested that Damon marry his own daughter Dymphna. Dymphna heard about this, she fled her castle with her confessor, a priest named Gerebran, two trusted servants, and the king's fool. The group sailed toward what is now called Belgium, and hid in the town of Geel.
In Geel she built a hospital for the poor and the sick. This allowed Damon to track her down and he came to Geel. He ordered the beheading of the priest Gerebran and then tried to convince Dymphna to go back to Ireland and marry him. When Dymphna refused Damon beheaded her too. Dymphna was only fifteen years old when she died.
St. Dymphna please pray for us to be able to keep our promises to God even when it is hard.
Patron of: those suffering for nervous and mental afflictions.
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