gotoyourclosetandpray:St. Dymphna, the Lily of Eire If any of you were curious as to the Saintly fig
gotoyourclosetandpray:St. Dymphna, the Lily of Eire If any of you were curious as to the Saintly figure in my Tumblr Avatar, allow me to tell you the story of a young Irish maiden, and how she became a Saint.Born some time in the 7th century AD, Dymphna was the Catholic daughter of a fair Catholic woman, and her husband, Damon, who was the chief (or King) of the kingdom of Oriel, in Ireland. In her early teenage years, perhaps 14, her mother passed away. Her father then became very distraught, and searched all over for a woman he could take as a bride. As time grew, and searches yielded no success, he became more and more disturbed. His mind, perverted by mourning and twisted by greed, King Damon decided that his own daughter would become his bride. She and her priest, Father Gerebrand (also Gerebernus) fled to Belgium, where they settled in the small village of Gheel. Damon, who had his heart set on his daughter, made great efforts to find her, but remained unsuccessful for a time. It is rumored that while in Gheel, Dymphna herself established a hospice for the ill and impoverished in the region. After some time had passed, Damon eventually learned of her whereabouts from an innkeeper, who should not have been familiar with Irish money. Knowing all too well of Dymphna’s story, they refused to relay the whereabouts of Dymphna. Damon now knew he was close to finding her.Damon eventually discovers Gerebrand and his men are ordered to kill him, and return his daughter to him. Dymphna is returned but refuses her fathers advances even further. In frustration, he struck off his daughters head. Damon and his men leave the bodies, and return to Ireland. Upon the discovery of the martyrs bodies, their remains were moved to a nearby cave. Shortly afterwards, miracles were associated with the young saint and the grave site. Those suffering from neurological, psychological/emotional ailments who visited the grave site in the cave were said to have been cured, even those thought to be plagued by diabolical influence also found relief.Since then, her body was relocated to a Church which was erected in her honor, St. Dymphna’s (also in Gheel). Those with emotional, psychological and neurological ailments seek her intercession, but also in her patronage are runaways, and victims of incest or rape. Her feast day is on the 15th of May. Things she is often depicted with is a crown, lilies, a lamp, a fettered demon, and also praying for a crowd of lunatics bound by golden chains (this specific depiction I haven’t seen for myself yet)I myself am Irish, and have dealt with emotional/psychological disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and for a time in my early teen years thoughts of suicide. I also belong to a family whose members have struggled with emotional and psychological disorders. I feel she has a very kind and beautiful patronage, I can relate to her, and that’s why I’ve chosen her as my Patron Saint :) -- source link
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