dymph

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St. Dymphna (6th Century AD) The first known written account of St. Dymphna was in the 13th Century by a priest who based his account of her life on oral interpretations. St. Dymphna was born in Ireland during the latter part of the 6th Century. Her father was a pagan king, but her mother was a Christian. However, her baptism was done in secret when Dymphna became a Christian, herself. When her mother died, her father decided to marry Dymphna who was very much against this pagan tradition. She escaped from her father, the king, with a priest named Fr. Gerebernus. Fr. Gerebernus had been her counselor and her protector. They fled for Antwerp, Belgium and then made their way to St. Martin of Tours' Church in the village of Geel. They felt safe from Dymphna's father's rage at this location.

However, the Irish king tracked his daughter all the way to Geel and came after her. When he arrived in Geel, he once again proposed marriage to his daughter but she again refused. Likewise, Fr. Gerebernus rebuked the king for his immoral lifestyle and he urged Dymphna not to relinquish to her father's wishes. Enraged by Fr. Gerebernus, the king ordered his servants to kill him. When Dymphna remained steadfast in her refusal to wed her father, the king, himself, beheaded her. The body of Dymphna was buried in the church at Geel.

St. Dymphna is portrayed in religious art with a sword in her hand and a shackled devil at her feet. She is the patron saint of Mental illness and nervous disorders. It is unknown why she is considered the patron for this, however in the 16th Century, many accounts of cures of mental disorders through her intercession were recorded.

St. Dymphna's feast day is May 15.