Saint Dymphna is the patron saint of those suffering from mental disorders or emotional distress. During her life she witnessed the death of her mother, her father’s mental illness, and she herself experienced a painful death. Through all this suffering, she was steadfast in her love for the Lord.
Thou didst inspire St. Dymphna to seek after justice and perform her duties towards God. Thou gavest St. Dymphna the virtues of love of virtue and angelic purity, enabling her to courageously suffer for her beliefs.
Table of Contents
St. Dymphna Novena
Feast Day: May 15th
Novena Start Day: May 6th
Patron Saint: Depression, Anxiety, Runaways, Mental Disorders, Mental Afflictions, Mental Illness, Epilepsy, and Incent Victims
St. Dymphna Novena – Day 1
In the name of the father, and the son, and the holy spirit. Amen.
O God, we humbly beseech You through Your servant, St. Dymphna, who sealed with her blood the love she bore You, to grant relief to those who suffer from mental afflictions and nervous disorders, especially…
[Mention your request here…]
You graciously chose St. Dymphna as patroness of those afflicted with mental and emotional illnesses. She is an inspiration and a symbol of charity to all who ask for her intercession.
Grant through the prayers of this pure youthful martyr consolation and healing to all who suffer such trials. We beg you, Lord, to hear the prayers of St. Dymphna on our behalf. We beg thee, O Lord, to grant us thy graces. Grant us patience in suffering and acceptance of Your Divine Will. Fill our hearts with hope, and grant us the relief and strength we so much desire. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen!
St. Dymphna, helper of the mentally afflicted, pray for us.
St. Dymphna Novena – Day 2
In the name of the father, and the son, and the holy spirit. Amen.
O God, we humbly beseech You through Your servant, St. Dymphna, who sealed with her blood the love she bore You, to grant relief to those who suffer from mental afflictions and nervous disorders, especially…
[Mention your request here…]
You graciously chose St. Dymphna as patroness of those afflicted with mental and emotional illnesses. She is an inspiration and a symbol of charity to all who ask for her intercession.
Grant through the prayers of thy holy servant, St. Dymphna, consolation and healing to all who suffer such trials. We beg you, Lord, to hear the prayers of St. Dymphna on our behalf. Grant us patience in suffering and acceptance of Your Divine Will. Fill our hearts with hope, and grant us the relief and strength we so much desire. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen!
St. Dymphna, helper of the mentally afflicted, pray for us.
St. Dymphna Novena – Day 3
In the name of the father, and the son, and the holy spirit. Amen.
O God, we humbly beseech You through Your servant, St. Dymphna, who sealed with her blood the love she bore You, to grant relief to those who suffer from mental afflictions and nervous disorders, especially…
[Mention your request here…]
You graciously chose St. Dymphna as patroness of those afflicted with mental and emotional illnesses. She is an inspiration and a symbol of charity to all who ask for her intercession.
Grant through the prayers of this pure youthful martyr consolation and healing to all who suffer such trials. We beg you, Lord, to hear the prayers of St. Dymphna on our behalf. Grant us patience in suffering and acceptance of Your Divine Will. Grant us the strength to obey thy commandments. Fill our hearts with hope, and grant us the relief and strength we so much desire. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen!
St. Dymphna, helper of the mentally afflicted, pray for us.
St. Dymphna Novena – Day 4
In the name of the father, and the son, and the holy spirit. Amen.
O God, we humbly beseech You through Your servant, St. Dymphna, who sealed with her blood the love she bore You, to grant relief to those who suffer from mental afflictions and nervous disorders, especially…
[Mention your request here…]
You graciously chose St. Dymphna as patroness of those afflicted with mental and emotional illnesses. She is an inspiration and a symbol of charity to all who ask for her intercession.
Grant through the prayers of this pure youthful martyr consolation and healing to all who suffer such trials. We beg you, Lord, to hear the prayers of St. Dymphna on our behalf. Grant us patience in suffering and acceptance of Your Divine Will. Help us to follow thy commandments. Fill our hearts with hope, and grant us the relief and strength we so much desire. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen!
St. Dymphna, helper of the mentally afflicted, pray for us.
St. Dymphna Novena – Day 5
In the name of the father, and the son, and the holy spirit. Amen.
O God, we humbly beseech You through Your servant, St. Dymphna, who sealed with her blood the love she bore You, to grant relief to those who suffer from mental afflictions and nervous disorders, especially…
[Mention your request here…]
You graciously chose St. Dymphna as patroness of those afflicted with mental and emotional illnesses. She is an inspiration and a symbol of charity to all who ask for her intercession.
Grant through the prayers of this pure youthful martyr consolation and healing to all who suffer such trials. We beg you, Lord, to hear the prayers of St. Dymphna on our behalf. Grant us patience in suffering and acceptance of Your Divine Will. May we always honor thy supreme authority. Fill our hearts with hope, and grant us the relief and strength we so much desire. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen!
St. Dymphna, helper of the mentally afflicted, pray for us.
St. Dymphna Novena – Day 6
In the name of the father, and the son, and the holy spirit. Amen.
O God, we humbly beseech You through Your servant, St. Dymphna, who sealed with her blood the love she bore You, to grant relief to those who suffer from mental afflictions and nervous disorders, especially…
[Mention your request here…]
You graciously chose St. Dymphna as patroness of those afflicted with mental and emotional illnesses. She is an inspiration and a symbol of charity to all who ask for her intercession.
Grant through the prayers of this pure youthful martyr consolation and healing to all who suffer such trials. We beg you, Lord, to hear the prayers of St. Dymphna on our behalf. Grant us patience in suffering and acceptance of Your Divine Will. Guide us with the counsels thou hast given. Fill our hearts with hope, and grant us the relief and strength we so much desire. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen!
St. Dymphna, helper of the mentally afflicted, pray for us.
St. Dymphna Novena – Day 7
In the name of the father, and the son, and the holy spirit. Amen.
O God, we humbly beseech You through Your servant, St. Dymphna, who sealed with her blood the love she bore You, to grant relief to those who suffer from mental afflictions and nervous disorders, especially…
[Mention your request here…]
You graciously chose St. Dymphna as patroness of those afflicted with mental and emotional illnesses. She is an inspiration and a symbol of charity to all who ask for her intercession.
Grant through the prayers of this pure youthful martyr consolation and healing to all who suffer such trials. We beg you, Lord, to hear the prayers of St. Dymphna on our behalf. Grant us patience in suffering and acceptance of Your Divine Will. May we find joy in hearing thy word. Fill our hearts with hope, and grant us the relief and strength we so much desire. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen!
St. Dymphna, helper of the mentally afflicted, pray for us.
St. Dymphna Novena – Day 8
In the name of the father, and the son, and the holy spirit. Amen.
O God, we humbly beseech You through Your servant, St. Dymphna, who sealed with her blood the love she bore You, to grant relief to those who suffer from mental afflictions and nervous disorders, especially…
[Mention your request here…]
You graciously chose St. Dymphna as patroness of those afflicted with mental and emotional illnesses. She is an inspiration and a symbol of charity to all who ask for her intercession.
Grant through the prayers of this pure youthful martyr consolation and healing to all who suffer such trials. We beg you, Lord, to hear the prayers of St. Dymphna on our behalf. Grant us patience in suffering and acceptance of Your Divine Will. Grant us the pure eternal joys of heaven. Fill our hearts with hope, and grant us the relief and strength we so much desire. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen!
St. Dymphna, helper of the mentally afflicted, pray for us.
St. Dymphna Novena – Day 9
In the name of the father, and the son, and the holy spirit. Amen.
O God, we humbly beseech You through Your servant, St. Dymphna, who sealed with her blood the love she bore You, to grant relief to those who suffer from mental afflictions and nervous disorders, especially…
[Mention your request here…]
You graciously chose St. Dymphna as patroness of those afflicted with mental and emotional illnesses. She is an inspiration and a symbol of charity to all who ask for her intercession.
Grant through the prayers of this pure youthful martyr consolation and healing to all who suffer such trials. We beg you, Lord, to hear the prayers of St. Dymphna on our behalf. Grant us patience in suffering and acceptance of Your Divine Will. Help us to attain eternal salvation. Fill our hearts with hope, and grant us the relief and strength we so much desire. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen!
St. Dymphna, helper of the mentally afflicted, pray for us.
Video of St. Dymphna Novena
Pray along to the Saint Dymphna Novena on YouTube.
Alternative Novena Prayer
As with all traditional prayers, things change over time, and you end up with different versions. Here is an alternative version of the Saint Dymphna Novena prayer you can say every day for nine days.
Intro Prayer
Lord, our God, you graciously chose St. Dymphna as patroness of those afflicted with mental and nervous disorders. Thou didst enlighten St. Dymphna with thy grace. She is thus an inspiration and a symbol of charity to the thousands who ask her intercession.
Please grant, Lord, through the prayers of this pure youthful martyr, relief and consolation to all suffering such trials, and especially those for whom we pray.
[Mention your intentions here]
Daily Prayer
St. Dymphna, patron of nervous and emotional illnesses, pray for us.
Concluding Prayer – Pray for Us
We beg you, Lord, to hear the prayers of St. Dymphna on our behalf. Grant all those for whom we pray patience in their sufferings and resignation to your divine will. May we gain eternal salvation through thy grace. Please fill them with hope, and grant them the relief and cure they so much desire.
We ask this through Christ our Lord who suffered agony in the garden. Amen.
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Prayer to Saint Dymphna for Mental and Nervous Disorders
Good Saint Dymphna, great wonder-worker in every affliction of mind and body, I humbly implore your powerful intercession with Jesus through Mary, the Health of the Sick, in my present need. (Mention it.) Saint Dymphna, martyr of purity, patroness of those who suffer with nervous and mental afflictions, beloved child of Jesus and Mary, pray to Them for me and obtain my request. Through the virtues thou hast bestowed upon her.
Pray one Our Father,
one Hail Mary
and one Glory Be.
Saint Dymphna, Virgin and Martyr, pray for us.
About Saint Dymphna – Thou Didst Inspire St
Saint Dymphna was born in Ireland during the 7th century to a pagan king. When her mother, the queen, died her father, the king, began to suffer great grief. He would remain silent for days on end and he was on the verge of a mental breakdown. The people in his court suggested that he get a second wife and the king agreed, but only if she looked exactly like his first wife.
They searched far and wide and were unable to find a suitable bride. The pagan court then suggested that the king should marry his daughter, since she looked like her mother. At first the king was repulsed by the idea, however he agreed.
When his daughter Dymphna was informed of the news, her response was, “Definitely not.” By the counsel of St. Gerebern, her confessor, and inspired by how thou didst guide her, she left her homeland to avoid the danger that came with rejecting the king and to obey Thy commandments. She left with a group of four people, St. Gerebern, the court jester, and the jester’s wife. They sailed across the sea and landed in Antwerp, Belgium. They eventually settled in the small town of Gheel near a shrine dedicated to St. Martin of Tours.
The king was enraged about this and sent spies out to find them. One day the spies stayed at an inn near where Dymphna was living. They paid an inn keeper with similar coins as the coins Dymphna had paid him. The inn keeper recognized the coins, and unaware that these men were spies, led them straight to Dymphna.
Once the king found out where Dymphna was he set out for Gheel at once. At first he tried to persuade Dymphna to be his wife, but when that didn’t work he became enraged. He threatened Dymphna and insulted her. But she remained firm in her refusal to marry her father. She would rather die than break her vow of virginity with St. Gerebern’s approval.
Out of anger, the King ordered his men to kill St. Gerebern and Dymphna. They killed St. Gerebern, but they would not harm Dymphna.
The King then rose from his seat and with his own sword cut off the head of his own daughter. Dymphna died suddenly at the young age of fifteen. Her name appears in the Roman Martyrology next to St. Gerebern’s.
To this day in the town of Gheel, Belgium, St. Dymphna is venerated and her body is preserved in a silver reliquary. Gheel has become a place of pilgrimage for people seeking relief from nervous and mental afflictions. She is the patron saint of Mental Illness, Epilepsy, and Incest Victims.
