St. Dymphna Novena
Anxiety, depression, mental and emotional illness, and nervous disorders
Tradition: Seventh-century Irish martyr venerated at Geel, Belgium, and honored in the Roman Martyrology on May 15. Her early biography is traditional; her cult and her patronage of the mentally afflicted are long-established.
Associated feast: Feast of St. Dymphna (May 15)
When to pray: Prayed especially by those who suffer from anxiety, depression, or mental and emotional illness, and by their families and caregivers. May be prayed on any nine consecutive days.
Begin Day 1 →About this devotion
Saint Dymphna is venerated as the patroness of those who suffer from anxiety, depression, and mental and emotional illness. According to her traditional account she was a seventh-century Irish maiden, daughter of a pagan father and a devout Christian mother, who gave her life rather than betray her consecration to Christ.
Her early story, like that of many ancient saints, has come down to us through tradition rather than detailed historical record; what is firmly established is her long-standing cult and her patronage of the mentally afflicted, centered on the town of Geel in Belgium, where for centuries the mentally ill have been received and cared for under her name. She is honored in the Roman Martyrology on May 15.
This nine-day novena draws on her witness of faith, courage, and trust to intercede for peace of mind and healing for all who suffer in mind and heart.
The Nine Days
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Day 1: Consecrated to Christ
Scripture: Psalm 27:1
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Day 2: In the Midst of Family Suffering
Scripture: Psalm 34:18
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Day 3: Seeking Refuge
Scripture: Psalm 46:1
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Day 4: Steadfast Under Pressure
Scripture: Philippians 4:13
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Day 5: Martyr for Christ
Scripture: Matthew 5:8
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Day 6: Healing at Geel
Scripture: Matthew 11:28
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Day 7: For the Anxious and Afflicted in Mind
Scripture: Philippians 4:6-7
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Day 8: For Families and Caregivers
Scripture: Galatians 6:2
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Day 9: The Peace of Christ
Scripture: John 14:27
Daily Novena Prayer
Philippians 4:6-7
Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Saint Paul's words on peace amid anxiety (New American Bible) may be prayed as the daily closing of the novena.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a novena?
A novena is a nine-day cycle of prayer, modeled on the nine days the Apostles spent in prayer with Mary between the Ascension and Pentecost (Acts 1:14). Each day a specific prayer or set of prayers is offered, often for a particular intention or to a particular saint.
When is the best time to pray the St. Dymphna Novena?
Prayed especially by those who suffer from anxiety, depression, or mental and emotional illness, and by their families and caregivers. May be prayed on any nine consecutive days.
What if I miss a day of the novena?
Catholic devotional practice does not treat missing a day as invalidating the novena. The traditional pastoral counsel is to continue from where you left off, or to repeat the missed day. The intention behind the prayer matters more than rigid sequential observance.
Source
Primary sources