St. Dymphna

Feast Day: May 15
Patron of: Mental Health

In Ireland, when Dymphna’s mother died, her Father’s mental stability began to deteriorate rapidly. Unable to find a woman who resembled his wife to remarry, his evil
advisors suggested he marry his own daughter. Hearing of the awful suggestion,
Dymphna, who had taken a vow of chastity, fled with her confessor. Upon later discovery
in Gheel, Belgium, both Dymphna and her confessor were beheaded. A church was
built in her honor and later expanded for the pilgrims who came seeking treatment for
mental illnesses. When the church still overflowed, the townspeople accepted them
into their homes, which began a tradition of caring for the mentally ill that continues to this day.