The Cross of Laeken: St. Dymphna

Hear 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.

In the Catholic tradition, saints help humanity by interceding on our behalf for God. Saints can heal us and provide us protection.  Over the centuries, saints have become patrons of a group of people, a condition such as pregnancy, an action or place. For example, St. George is the patron saint of England and St. Joseph is the patron of carpenters.

Over at the blog "The Cross of Laeken," he discusses the patron saint of mental illness St. Dymphna. While she was the daughter of an Irish king, she died at the age of 15 in Belgium.

Throughout history, St. Dymphna has inspired the citizens of Geel, Belgium to humanly care for the mentally ill. Those who would normally live in asylums or on the streets, live with a host family and work or perform other task during the day.

We must open our hearts and follow their lead, if we desire to prevent another devastating shooting. If we don't, history will repeat itself.


The Cross of Laeken: St. Dymphna