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My Discovery Of St. Dymphna: Patron Saint Of Anxiety

It was a sign.

Caitlin Coughlin

Jul 18, 2016

Holy Family University

7678

My Discovery Of St. Dymphna: Patron Saint Of Anxiety

Saint Dymphna is the Patron Saint of those suffering nervous issues like anxiety and all other mental and emotional health issues. Saint Dymphna is unheard of by a majority of people. I personally never heard of her until I had an encounter with her that I will never forget.

I was in San Diego, California. My family and I were touring a place called Old Town when we passed this beautiful church. After spending some time in the church we went to the religious shop next door. We all went our separate ways and were looking around. I decided to look at the prayer cards. I was looking at all the names of the saints, many of which I had never heard of. For some reason, Saint Dymphna kept sticking out to me. I didn’t know why. I had no idea who she was or what she was the patron saint of. So I decided to put my curiosity to rest and picked up her card. My stomach instantly dropped and my mouth fell open. For those of you who know me or have read other articles of mine, you know that I suffer from extreme anxiety. I am one big nerve who is pretty much afraid of everything. When I picked up her card and saw “patroness of nervous and mental disease” I knew I had to buy it. I don’t care what anyone says but I believe this was a sign.

I carry her prayer card in my wallet and recently went to another religious shop and got another one of her cards. I also found a necklace with her on it that I am hoping to get for my birthday.

Saint Dymphna died at the age of 15-years-old. She was killed by her own father who developed a mental illness after her mother passed away. She was born in Ireland but fled to Belgium after her father begged her to marry him which is why she can also be known as the patroness of incest. While she was in Belgium she built a hospital for the sick and poor. She is seen as a martyr.

To me, Saint Dymphna is someone who I will always pray to. I am so happy I got that sign that one day in San Diego. Everything happens for a reason and I truly believe that day she wanted me to discover her so she could help me through everything I deal with. For that, I am so thankful.

Take some time to look up patron saints of things that are important to you. You never know who you may discover.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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My Discovery Of St. Dymphna: Patron Saint Of Anxiety

It was a sign.

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All names should be "unisex names."

1. Communicating via email can be awkward.

2. Appointments usually accompany weird looks.

3. Introducing yourself to someone is never without a hitch.

4. You’ve probably thought about changing your name.

5. You’re often asked why you have the name you do.

6. You get excited when you meet someone of your gender with your name.

7. You feel awkward when you meet someone of the opposite gender with your name.

8. You’ve had someone say to you, “I knew a [your name], but they were [your opposite gender].”

9. You’ve heard a bad joke/pick-up line or two about your name before.

10. People are surprised when they see you.

11. You’re extra sensitive to other unique or unisex names.

12. You’ve fought with your parents about it.

13. All things considered, you’re happy your name makes you unique.

You know that all of these things apply to you. You'll just never tell.

I get it... I'm pale.

1. At least I can't lose you in a crowd!

2. Oh my goodness your skin is like glow-in-the-dark.

3. Can't you just get fake tan?

4. Do you tan or just burn?

5. Your kids are going to look like Casper the Friendly Ghost!

6. *holds arm against your arm* Look how much darker I am compared to you!

7. *holds pale arm against another pale arm* Aw, at least you're darker than her!

8. I laid out by the pool almost every day over break!

9. I haven't used sunscreen since I was, like, five.

10. *adjusts selfie lighting to their face* Oops, where'd you go??

11. *after working out* Your face is SO red!

12. *wears white* Look! You're all one color!

13. You need to get some sun.

14. Aren't you excited for summer?

The struggle bus is real.

1. Child prodigies:

2. Hearing other musicians in the practice room next door and accepting that you will never be as talented as them:

3. That anxiety that takes over before every performance:

4. Taking a million 0 credit classes:

5. When there's a paper due the next day, but you have to attend yet another concert in order to pass a 0 credit class:

6. When your friends try to encourage you after a performance, even though you are criticizing everything in your mind:

7. Knowing that there's always that one professor during juries:

8. The oh-so-attractive band/choir uniforms:

9. Realizing that a college campus is maybe not the best atmosphere to finish your latest composition:

10. Hearing "Oh, you sing opera? I LOVE Phantom of the Opera!" for the hundredth time:

11. When people think finals week is a breeze for you.

12. When you're drowning in the stress that comes with 18+ credits (and not to mention all those 0 credit classes) and people ask you how you are:

13. When it all comes down to it, though, you know that at the end of the day, music is your passion:

Because you need it in your life.

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6. holds arm against your arm Look how much darker I am compared to you!

7. holds pale arm against another pale arm Aw, at least you're darker than her!

10. adjusts selfie lighting to their face Oops, where'd you go??

11. after working out Your face is SO red!

12. wears white Look! You're all one color!