Naperville church plans liturgy to celebrate St. Dymphna

Anyone living with emotional or mental illness, and those who love and care about them, are invited to a special Mass commemorating St. Dymphna, the patron saint of those in such a struggle.

The Mass is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, May 7, at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 1500 Brookdale Road, Naperville.

Dymphna was only 17 when her mother died, and the emotional and mental difficulties that plagued her father following his wife's death led to the young girl's martyrdom. Subsequent cures and miracles attributed to her resulted in Dymphna's being canonized a saint, and many successful treatment centers today are named in her honor.

St. Dymphna's feast day is May 15.

"The Mass will celebrate this teenage saint's courage and strength, and commemorate her plight when she sought to provide care and treatment for people with emotional and mental illness," said Susan Kearney, coordinator of the behavioral health ministry that is sponsoring the special liturgy.

"We invite people to come to extend prayer and participate in this welcoming and healing liturgy," Kearney added.

A reception will follow Mass.

The behavioral health ministry at St. Thomas strives to break the stigma surrounding mental illness and to minister to the emotionally/mentally ill and their family and friends with confidentiality and respect through advocacy, prayer, education and support.

For more information about the liturgy or the behavioral health ministry, contact Kearney at (630) 355-8980, ext. 108, or skearney@stapostle.org.