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Dymphna, Saint

 Person

Staff Only

Biographical note

Traditionally the daughter of an Irish chieftain, Dymphna escaped to Belgium accompanied by her chaplain, Saint Gerebern. Their relics were discovered at Gheel, near Antwerp, in the thirteenth century, and since then numberless cases of epilepsy and other mental and neurological illnesses have been cured at their shrine. The asylum built at Gheel in the thirteenth century still stands, equipped with all up-to-date improvements. Dymphna is invoked as the patron saint of mental health.

(paraphrased from The Book of Saints : A Dictionary of Persons Canonized or Beatified by the Catholic Church. 5th edition. New York: Crowell, 1966.)

Alternate names

Dympna

Found in 4 Collections and/or Records:

Multiple saints, between 1934 and 1947, undated, bulk: 1926–1968

 File — Multiple Containers
Scope and Contents Includes Saints Agnes, Aloysius Gonzaga, SJ, Andrew the Apostle, Anne, Anthony of Padua, Benedict, Blaise, Brigid, Catherine Labouré, Cecilia, Christopher, Clare of Assisi, Dymphna, Francis de Sales, Francis of Assisi, Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows, Genesius of Rome, Gerard Majella, Gerebernus, Hubert, Jane Frances de Chantal, John Berchmans, SJ, John Neumann, John XXIII, Joseph, Jude, Louise de Marillac, Luisa, Martha, Martin, Mary Magdalene, Michael, Patrick, Paul of the Cross, Peter,...
Access Note

Collection is open for research.

Dates: between 1934 and 1947, undated; Majority of material found within 1926–1968
Found in: / Liturgy and life collection / Personal devotional and religious objects / By dedication

Saint Dymphna, undated

 File — Box 69, tray: 2, Item: 2
Scope and Contents From the Series:

Statues, sculptures, bas-reliefs, plaques, triptychs, paintings, Christmas ornaments, and other decorative art media featuring Catholic imagery. The art depicts angels, the Holy Family (Jesus, Mary, and Joseph), saints, and blessings or prayers.

Access Note

Collection is open for research.

Dates: undated
Found in: / Liturgy and life collection / Decorative art

Saint Dymphna, undated

 File — Box 70 (relics), tray: 1, Item: 3
Scope and Contents From the Series:

Relics in a variety of reliquaries, including badges, crucifixes, devotional wallets, lockets, and reliquary boxes.



Content notice

Some relics include fragmentary human remains.

Access Note

Collection is open for research.

Dates: undated
Found in: / Liturgy and life collection / Relics

Saints: Dymphna

 Sub-Series — Box 605
Scope and Contents From the Collection: Material culture and pamphlets that document the Liturgical Movement and changes in religious life in the American Catholic Church from the early twentieth century through the implementation of the Second Vatican Council's reforms in the 1960s and 1970s. The collection contains artifacts of many kinds, including badges, bookmarks, candles, chalices, chaplets, crosses, crucifixes, holy water containers, jewelry, key rings, medals, money clips, monstrances, pins, plaques, relics, rosaries,...
Access Note

Collection is open for research.

Dates: undated; Majority of material found within 1926 - 1968
Found in: / Liturgy and life collection / Pamphlets

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