As Pope Saint John Paul II emphasised, those who suffer from mental illness still reflect God’s image and likeness.
Saint Dymphna and Saint John of God exemplify compassion and acceptance towards those with mental illness:
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- Saint Dymphna: As a patron of people living with mental illness, Saint Dymphna’s legacy inspires compassion. Although her story is partly shrouded in legend, her impact on Geel, Belgium, is well-documented. The people of Geel welcomed those with mental illness into their community, providing care without stigma or discrimination.
- Saint John of God: Despite facing harsh treatment in a psychiatric facility, Saint John of God recovered and dedicated himself to helping the poor, sick, and homeless—many of whom lived with mental illness. His followers, the Hospitaller Brothers, continue this mission worldwide.
These saints remind us that compassion, understanding, and acceptance are essential in supporting those affected by mental illness.
The Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers sees the legacies of St., Dymphna, and St. John of God as models for mental health ministry. We provide free St. Dymphna and St. John of God prayer cards for use in mental health ministries.
On each card there is an image of the saint turning from the darkness, which so often envelopes people when who suffer with mental illness, and looking toward the light Christ. Along the bottom of the card is the phrase “The Pain is Real – but so is Hope”. The prayer concludes by asking God to grant courage to those for whom we pray and fill them with hope. Help them remember You love them; they are never alone. We ask St. Dymphna and St. John of God to pray for us.
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In-text citation: (www.vaticannews.va, 2021)
www.vaticannews.va. (2021). ‘Some Saints lived with mental illness’ – Vatican News. [online] Available at: Source: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2021-11/pope-november-prayer-depression-saints-mental-illness.html#:~:text=There%20are%20two%20Saints%2C%20Saint%20Dymphna%2C%20and%20Saint [Accessed 4 Jul. 2024].