Saint Dymphna, called the "Lily of Ireland" was born in the seventh century. Her father, Damon, a chieftain of great wealth and power, was a pagan. Her mother was also of noble descent, a very beautiful and devout Christian. Dymphna was fourteen when her mother died. Damon is said to have been afflicted with a mental illness, brought on by this grief. In a frantic effort to fill the void left by the death of his wife, he sent messengers
throughout his own and other lands to find some woman of noble birth, resembling his wife, who would be willing to marry him. When none could be found, his evil advisers suggested that he propose marriage to his own daughter. Dymphna was filled with disgust by the advances of her father, and fled from her homeland together with Gerebran, her confessor, and two other friends, the court jester and his wife.
Damon set out in search of the fugitives and found them in Belgium. When he tried to persuade Dymphna to return with him, Father Gerebran rebuked him for his wicked proposal. Damon gave orders that the priest's head be cut off. Then Damon tried again to persuade his daughter to return to Ireland with him. Angered by her resistance, he drew his sword and struck off her head. She was then only fifteen years of age. Dymphna received the crown of martyrdom in defense of her purity about the year 620. She is the patron of those suffering from nervous and mental afflictions. Many miracles have taken place at her shrine in the church of St. Dymphna, which was built upon the site of the original burial place in Gheel, Belgium.
Application
The sixth commandment of God forbids not only adultery (sin with or by a married person), but also all actions which are contrary to the virtue of purity. Purity is a treasure which buys heaven for you, as Jesus said, "Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God."! Follow the example of St. Dymphna by praying and fighting off every temptation at once. Like her, you ought to be willing even to lay down your life rather than offend God by any sin against the sixth commandment.
Source: Catechism in Stories, Imprimatur 1956
throughout his own and other lands to find some woman of noble birth, resembling his wife, who would be willing to marry him. When none could be found, his evil advisers suggested that he propose marriage to his own daughter. Dymphna was filled with disgust by the advances of her father, and fled from her homeland together with Gerebran, her confessor, and two other friends, the court jester and his wife.
Damon set out in search of the fugitives and found them in Belgium. When he tried to persuade Dymphna to return with him, Father Gerebran rebuked him for his wicked proposal. Damon gave orders that the priest's head be cut off. Then Damon tried again to persuade his daughter to return to Ireland with him. Angered by her resistance, he drew his sword and struck off her head. She was then only fifteen years of age. Dymphna received the crown of martyrdom in defense of her purity about the year 620. She is the patron of those suffering from nervous and mental afflictions. Many miracles have taken place at her shrine in the church of St. Dymphna, which was built upon the site of the original burial place in Gheel, Belgium.
Application
The sixth commandment of God forbids not only adultery (sin with or by a married person), but also all actions which are contrary to the virtue of purity. Purity is a treasure which buys heaven for you, as Jesus said, "Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God."! Follow the example of St. Dymphna by praying and fighting off every temptation at once. Like her, you ought to be willing even to lay down your life rather than offend God by any sin against the sixth commandment.
Source: Catechism in Stories, Imprimatur 1956
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