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Dympna
was born in Ireland in the seventh century. Her father was a
maniacal warlord who tried, because of the untimely death of
his beloved wife, to force his daughter into an unnatural union.
Dympna fled to Belgium, a ourt jester by her side, and took
refuge in a secluded hut on the outskirts of Gheel. But spies
tracked them down, and when her father sailed to collect his
daughter/bride, Dympna adamantly refused his proposal and he
chopped her head off. Years later, when her remains were unearthed,
her relics were said to have had a miraculous effect on lunatics.
On the site of her martyrdom now stands a progressive hospital
for the deranged. Dympna is also the patron of runaways, diabolic
possession, asylums and mental health workers; and she's invoked
against epilepsy, sleepwalking and insanity. Her feast day is
May 15. |
To
order
click on one of
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|
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| St.
Dympna
Patron St. of
Mental Illness |
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