St. Dymphna was a 7th century Irish princess. Her mother was a Christian and her father was a Pagan. Dymphna’s mother brought her up as a Christian. When her mother died, our saint was but 14 years old. Despite Dymphna’s desire to enter a convent, her father the king, who was suffering from mental illness, evidently wanted to “marry” his own daughter because Dymphna reminded him of his deceased wife. Consequently Dymphna fled to Belgium. The angry king sent his men to pursue her and she was beheaded at fifteen.
St. Dymphna’s Feast Day is May 15.
This image is also available as a prayer card and print.