| Saint Dymphna | |
|---|---|
Saint Dymphna: fanciful portrait from an old holy card |
|
| The Lily of Éire | |
| Born | Ireland |
| Died | 7th century Gheel, Belgium |
| Honored in | Roman Catholic Church Eastern Orthodox Church |
| Feast | May 15 |
| Attributes | crown, sword, lily, lamp, princess with a fettered demon at her feet |
| Patronage | mental disorders, neurological disorders, runaways, victims of incest |
Saint Dymphna (also: Dympna, Dimpna) was the daughter of a pagan Irish king and his Christian wife in the 7th century. She was murdered by her father. The story of St. Dymphna was first recorded in the thirteenth century by a canon of the Church of St. Aubert at Cambrai, commissioned by the Bishop of Cambrai, Guy I (1238–1247). The author expressly states that his writings were based upon a longstanding oral tradition and a persuasive history of inexplicable and miraculous healings of the mentally ill.[1]
Contents |
Dymphna was born in Ireland during the 7th century. Dymphna's father Damon, a petty king of Oriel, was pagan but her mother was a devout Christian. When Dymphna was 14 years old, her mother died. Damon had loved his wife deeply, and in the aftermath of her death his mental health sharply deteriorated. When at length he decided to remarry, Damon sought to find a woman who resembled his deceased wife. When no such woman could be found, Damon began to desire his daughter, because of the strong resemblance she bore to her mother. When Dymphna learned of her father's intentions she fled his court along with her confessor Father Gerebernus and two trusted servants. Together they sailed towards the continent, eventually landing in Belgium, where they took refuge in the town of Gheel. Damon sent his agents to pursue his daughter and her companions. When their hiding place was discovered, Damon traveled to Gheel to recover his daughter. Damon ordered his soldiers to kill Father Gerebernus and tried to force Dymphna to return with him to Ireland, but she resisted. Furious, Damon drew his sword and struck off his daughter's head. She was 16 years old.
The historical basis for this story is uncertain. There are variations in the legend and it has counterparts in the folktales of many European countries, such as The King Who Wished to Marry His Daughter and the donkeyskin. The events of Saint Dymphna's life may have become entwined with these myths in the centuries after her death when her story was told orally.
After Dymphna and Gerebernus were murdered, the residents of Gheel buried them in a nearby cave. Years later, they decided to move the remains to a more suitable location. According to tradition, when workmen entered the cave to retrieve the two bodies they found that the bones of Dymphna and Gerebernus had been miraculously interred in two stone sarcophagi, one of which bore a red tile with the inscription "DYMPNA." The remains of Saint Dymphna were later put into a silver reliquary and placed in the Gheel church named in her honor. The remains of Saint Gerebernus were moved to Xanten, Germany.[2]
During the 13th century an infirmary was created in Gheel for the care of the mentally ill. Patients who became healthy enough to leave the infirmary would be housed with the residents of the town. The care rendered for these individuals by the residents of Gheel stands in stark contrast to the inhumane treatment received by the mentally and neurologically ill throughout most of human history.
Prayer: Hear us, O God, Our Savior, as we honor St. Dymphna, patroness of those afflicted with mental and emotional illness. Help us to be inspired by her example and comforted by her merciful help. Amen.
| This page or section lists people that share the same given name. If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change that link to point directly to the intended article. |