Patron saints
Who Is the Patron Saint of Mental Illness And Anxiety?
Saint Dymphna · Feast day May 15
The patron saint of mental illness and anxiety is Saint Dymphna, whose feast day is May 15.
Who was Saint Dymphna?
Saint Dymphna was, by tradition, a young Irish princess of the seventh century who fled her father's madness and was martyred for her faith and purity. For centuries the town of Geel, where she is honored, has been known for its compassionate care of the mentally ill.
Why the patron of mental illness and anxiety?
Because of that long tradition of care, she is the patron of those who suffer mental and emotional illness, anxiety, and depression.
In the Word
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.Matthew 11:28 (KJV)
A note for all traditions: patron saints are honored in the Catholic and Orthodox churches as examples of faith and as friends who pray with us, never worshiped, for worship belongs to God alone. Many Protestant Christians honor the saints as examples without asking their intercession. Across all traditions, there is one Lord and one mediator between God and us, the man Christ Jesus, and every one of us, not only the saints, is called to holiness and to him.
All the saints point to Jesus, and so are you called
Saint Dymphna was not the point; Christ was. Every saint is a window, and the light is Jesus, who is Lord of all. You are called to the same holiness and the same love. Pray, read the Word, and gather with the family of God on The Living Bread. Free, with no ads, for all people.
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