St Dymphna | Delicate Necklace | Matte Gold Chain | Bronze Clay | Antique Replica | Patron Saint Mental Illness

I was so excited to find this antique medal of St Dymnpha. It’s so tiny and feminine. She is the patron Saint of mental illness, sleep disorders, and anxiety. This antique replica medal was hand made out of bronze clay in my studio and is finished with a technique to give it a baroque style gold finish. It is paired with a delicate antique style non tarnish chain with Lobster claw closure.

Patronage of St. Dymphna
St. Dymphna is the patron saint of those with epilepsy, incest victims, those who have lost their parents, mental health caregivers and professionals, those suffering from emotional, nervous, or mental illness, rape and sexual abuse victims and runaways. Because of the miraculous healings and events that have taken place at her burial site, in addition to those reported by those who seek her intercession in prayer, St. Dymphna is a popular saint among those whose lives have been affected by mental health challenges (this includes not only the person suffering from mental illness, but their family, friends, and treatment professionals, as well).

St. Dymphna was a seventh century Irish virgin martyr. She was 15 (in about 620) when she lost her life spurning the incestuous advances of her father who insisted on marrying her to replace her deceased mother. When she learned of his plan, she fled from Ireland to Gheel, Belgium, but he found her there and beheaded her when she would not cooperate with him.

There have been many reports of St. Dymphna miraculously curing the mental, emotional, and neurological afflictions of pilgrims to her burial site in Gheel. Based on these miracles and the story of her martyrdom, she was canonized in 1247 and named patron saint of the mentally ill. Her patronage also extends to incest and rape victims and runaways.

St. Dymphna is most often shown with a sword or lamp in her hand and a restrained devil at her feet. Her feast day is May 15.