ST. DYMPHNA CHAPLET WITH CARD-CH135

ST. DYMPHNA CHAPLET

Dymphna was born in Ireland sometime in the seventh century to a pagan father and devout Christian mother. When she was fourteen, she consecrated herself to Christ and took a vow of chastity. Soon afterward, her mother died and her father - who had loved his wife deeply - began to suffer a rapid deterioration of his mental stability. Her father searched for a woman similar in appearance to his late wife, but found none. His wicked advisors suggested he marry his daughter, and in his unsoundness of mind he agreed to the idea. Upon discovering what was discussed, Dymphna fled with her confessor and some others to a town in Belgium. Her father eventually found them and asked her to marry him - to which she refused. Enraged, her father had her confessor and friends killed before ending her life himself.

Saint Dymphna is the patroness of those suffering nervous and mental afflictions as well as victims of incest.