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, at 7 p.m. on May 7 at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in 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. Many successful treatment centers today are named in her honor. St. Dymphna’s feast day is May 15.
“The Mass will celebrate this teen-aged 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 this 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 then 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 this special liturgy or the behavioral health ministry, contact Susan Kearney, ministry coordinator, at 630.355.8980, ext. 108, or at skearney@stapostle.org.
St. Thomas the Apostle strives to bear the Good News of God’s unconditional love to all generations through worship, faith formation, witness and service. Organized in 1984, the St. Thomas faith community numbers more than 3,400 households of more than 10,750 people. Complete news and information on parish events, guest speakers and special programs is available at www.stapostle.org. For general parish information, call 630.35.8980.