Saint Dymphna

                           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.


Prayers to Saint Dymphna
In Nervous or Emotional Distress

I turn to you, dear virgin and martyr, confident of your power with God and of your willingness to take my cause into your hands. I praise and bless the Lord for giving you to us as patron of the nervous and emotionally disturbed. I firmly hope that through your kind intercession He will restore my lost serenity and peace of mind. May He speak to my heart and reassure me: "My peace I give you. Let not your heart be troubled nor let it be afraid." Pray for me, dear St. Dymphna, that my nervous and emotional turmoil may cease, and that I may again know serenity and
personal peace. Amen.

In Physical Illness

I appeal to you in my illness, dear St. Dymphna. I would be so grateful for a total and happy recovery, for the blessed gift of health in every fiber of my being. May the Lord Jesus, who mercifully healed the sick during His earthly days, have pity on me and make me well again. Ask Him to command sickness to depart and grant me a full measure of health, that I may rejoice in giving Him glory and praise. Amen.

For Love of God and of Neighbor

Dear St. Dymphna, our Church leaders reminded us at Vatican II that "it is the love of God and of neighbor which points out the true disciple of Christ." The same reminder is issued repeatedly, and yet, how often I fail the test of true discipleship. Intercede, please, in my favor, dear girl-martyr, that I may truly love the Lord my God and all His family on earth. May this love remain mine in life and lead me to heaven, where with all the saints, I shall adore the Trinity. Amen.

For a Strong Faith

To you, dear St. Dymphna, who have completed your pilgrimage of faith and now dwell with the Lord forever, I appeal for the blessing of a strong and mature faith. May I preserve in my baptismal promises to Christ, no matter what the cost. May I conduct myself now and always as a true believer in the eternal truths God has revealed.
Help me always with your prayers as I walk in faith toward the reward promised to those who, without having seen Christ, yet love Him and believe in Him. Amen.

For Relatives and Friends

I humbly request you, dear virgin and martyr Dymphna, to take under your protection all who are bound to me by ties of blood or friendship. May all the lives which touch mine experience the blessings God is pleased to grant through your intercession. I now commend to your prayers all the intentions of all my relatives and friends. Remember also those persons who have asked me to pray for them. Pray especially for the lonely and forsaken who have no one to pray for them. Thank you, dear St. Dymphna, for remembering us all before our God and Savior. Amen.

For Priests

You revered your priestly guide as God's minister and faithfully followed his counsels. From his hands you received the Body of Christ; from his presence, strength and moral support. Please pray for the priests dear to me, the priests who have helped me, the priests in this country and in the whole world. May they serve God generously and overcome all the obstacles that face them. May they always be loyal dispensers of the mysteries of God. Amen.

For Fellowship with the Saints

Devotion to you, dear St. Dymphna, brings me closer to Christ. May it lead me still closer to Him. The Church wishes us to seek from God's saints example in their way of life, fellowship in their communion, and aid by their
intercession. May my devotion to all the saints enrich my worship of God the Father, through Christ, in Union with the Holy Spirit. O lovable St. Dymphna, you are deeply interested in my final reunion with God and His saints. Pray for me that I may truly honor them during life and enjoy their companionship in our heavenly homeland forever.
Amen.

For Any Special Need

Glorious St. Dymphna, you are the patron of the nervous and emotionally disturbed. I am certain, however, that your charity embraces everyone. I am certain that you lend a listening ear to any prayer offered for any special need. You will, I am sure, take my problem to heart and pray for me that it may be happily settled. (Here mention your special problem or difficulty.) You will plead for me and obtain the help I need. Already I offer you my sincere and grateful thanks, so great is my confidence that God will hear and answer your prayers. Amen.

St. Dymphna, Virgin and Martyr, pray for us.
St. Dymphna, patron of nervous and emotional illnesses, pray for us.
St. Dymphna, crowned for the glory in heaven, pray for us.
St. Dymphna, faithful to your covenant with Christ, pray for us.
St. Dymphna, precious in the eyes of the Lord, pray for us.
St. Dymphna, our helper in every need, pray for us.

St. Dymphna, our friend at heaven's court, pray for us.
St. Dymphna Feastday: May 15
                                          Patroness of those suffering for nervous and mental affictions

Dymphna was fourteen when her mother died. Damon is said to have been afflicted with a mental illness, brought on by his grief. He sent messengers throughout his town and other lands to find some woman of noble birth, resembling his wife, who would be willing to marry him. When none could be found, his evil advisers told him to marry his own confessor and two other friends. Damon found them in Belgium. He gave orders that the priest's head be cut off. Then Damon tried to persuade his daughter to return to Ireland with him. When she refused, he drew his sword and struck off her head. She was then only fifteen years of age.
Dymphna received the crown of martyrdom in defense of her purity about the year 620. She is the patron of those suffering from nervous and mental afflictions. Many miracles have taken place at her shrine, built on the spot where she was buried in Gheel, Belgium.

Prayer: Here 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.