Can you imagine running away and leaving everyone you love and care about? St. Dymphna had to when she was only 14 years old. In this essay I will tell you what a saint is and about the life of St. Dymphna.
Saints, broadly speaking, are those who follow Jesus Christ and live their lives according to his teachings. Catholics, however, also use the term narrowly to refer to especially holy men and women who, through extraordinary lives of virtue, have already entered Heaven. (Ritchert)
There are five steps to sainthood. First, the person’s local bishop investigates their life by gathering information from witnesses of their life and any writings they may have written. If the bishop finds them to be worthy of being a saint, then he submits the
…show more content…
information that he gathered to the Vatican’s Congregation for the Causes of Saints. Second, the Congregation for the Causes of Saints can choose reject the application or accept it and begin their own investigation of the person’s life. Third, if the Congregation for the Causes of Saints approves of the candidate, they can choose to declare that the person lived a life heroically virtuous life. This isn’t a declaration that the person is in heaven, but that they pursued holiness while here on earth. Fourth, to be recognized as someone in heaven requires that a miracle has taken place through the intercession of that person. The miracle is usually a healing. The healing has to be instantaneous, permanent, and complete while also being scientifically unexplainable. Miracles have to be first verified as scientifically unexplainable by a group of independent doctors, then the person is approved by a panel of theologians, and then the final approval lies with the pope. I this is the case, a person is declared a blessed. Fifth, a second miracle is needed in order to declare someone a saint. The confirmation of a second miracle goes through the same scrutiny as the first. (Cotter) The process the Church uses to name a saint is called canonization. This process has only been used since the tenth century. For hundreds of years, starting with the first martyrs of the early Church, saints were chosen by public acclaim. Though this was a more democratic way to recognize saints, some saints' stories were distorted by legend and some never existed. Gradually, the bishops and finally the Vatican took over authority for approving saints. Patron saints are chosen as special protectors or guardians over areas of life.
These areas can include occupations, illnesses, churches, countries, causes -- anything that is important to us. The earliest records show that people and churches were named after apostles and martyrs as early as the fourth century. Recently, the popes have named patron saints but patrons can be chosen by other individuals or groups as well. Patron saints are often chosen today because an interest, talent, or event in their lives overlaps with the special area. Angels can also be named as patron saints. A patron saint can help us when we follow the example of that saint's life and when we ask for that saint's intercessory prayers to God. (“Frequently Asked Questions about …show more content…
Saints”) According to Christian tradition, Dymphna was born in Ireland in the 7th century. Dymphna’s father Damon, a petty king of Oriel, was a pagan, but her mother was a devout Christian. When Dymphna was around 14 years old, she dedicated her life to Jesus, and took a vow of chastity. Shortly thereafter, her mother died, and this had a profound effect on her father, Damon. Damon loved his wife deeply, and in the aftermath of her death his mental health sharply deteriorated. Eventually the king's counsellors pressed him to remarry. Damon agreed, but only on the condition that a bride who resembled his wife was procured for him. Damon sent messengers throughout his town and other lands to find a woman of noble birth who resembled his wife and would be willing to marry him, but when none could be found, his evil advisors whispered sinful suggestions to marry his own daughter. So twisted were Damon's thoughts that he recognized only his wife when he looked upon Dymphna, and so he consented to the arrangement. When Dymphna learned of her father's intentions, she swore to uphold her vows, and fled his court along with her confessor, Father Gerebernus, two trusted servants, and the king's fool. Together they sailed towards what is present-day Belgium, where they took refuge in the town of Gheel. One version of the story states that once settled in Gheel, St. Dymphna built a hospital for the poor and sick of the region. However, it was through the use of her wealth that her father would eventually ascertain her whereabouts, as some of the coins used enabled her father to trace them to Belgium. Damon sent his agents to pursue his daughter and her companions. When their hiding place was discovered, Damon travelled to Gheel to recover his daughter. Damon ordered his soldiers to kill Father Gerebernus and tried to force Dymphna to return with him to Ireland, but she resisted. Furious, Damon drew his sword and struck off his daughter's head. She was said to have been 15 years old when she died. After Dymphna and Gerebernus were martyred, the residents of Gheel buried them in a nearby cave. Years later, they decided to move the remains to a more suitable location. (“St. Dymphna”) Shortly after her death, five "lunatics" wandered to the countryside where she was killed, and slept the night there, only to awaken cured. She has since been invoked as the patron of those suffering from nervous, mental, and Spiritual afflictions . A church was built on this site, only to be destroyed by fire in 1489, and rebuilt in 1532. The church remains to the present day, and has been joined by a house for the mentally ill that often houses as many as fifteen hundred patients. ("St. Dymphna, Patron of Mental Illness & Spiritual Disorders.") St. Dymphna is the Patron saint of epilepsy, insanity, mental disorders, mental illness, epileptics, family happiness, incest victims, loss of parents, martyrs, mental asylums, mental health caregivers, mental health professionals, mental hospitals, mentally ill people, nervous disorders, neurological disorders, possessed people, princesses, psychiatrists, rape victims, runaways, sleepwalkers, and therapists. (“Saint Dymphna”) St.
Dymphna is represented in many different ways like: being beheaded by the king, kneeling at Mass while her father murders the priest Gerebernus, praying in a cloud surrounded by a group of lunatics bound with golden chains, princess holding a lamp and sword, princess with a sword holding the devil on a leash, young woman with Saint Gerebernus, woman with a sword in her hand and a fettered devil at her feet, wearing a crown; dressed in ermine and royal robes; and holding a sword, holding a sword pricking the neck of a demon, holding a lamp; with the chained devil at her feet, and wearing green and white holding a book and white lilies. (“Saint
Dymphna”) St. Dymphna was a devout Christian and did everything she could to keep her vows and stay true to her faith. Although she is a lesser known saint, her life story can teach you something about morals and staying faithful to God.
A saint is a virtuous person that is honored by church after death who is considered to a degree of holiness and is blessed. In most Christian denominations think all people are saints in the Catholic Church the term saint is given to a person whom which the church has officially been canonized. Furthermore, the Catholic Church explains that they do not create or make a saint; however, they recognize saints. In fact, Frances Xavier Cabrini or as many people refer to her as Mother Cabrini is the first person to be canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church.
Saint Christopher, the patron saint of travelers and children, is one of the most popular yet mysterious saints of the Catholic Church. Though considered a saint. Saint Christopher is not in the official canon of the saints, and not much is really known about him. It is theorized that Saint Christopher was actually a martyr named Reprobus who was beheaded in the third century.
... of saint because he had the strongest desire to do good for others. He exemplified great virtue and because of this a community was able to move forward.
Francis of Assisi is one of the most influential personalities in the entire world. In the book ‘Francis of Assisi: Performing the Gospel Life,’ Cunningham recounts the life of this humble monk who lived in the medieval times, and shaped the Christian life, which spread in Western culture throughout the rest of history. I believe Cunningham accurately accounts for the life of Francis of Assisi, and in doing so; he provides a trajectory of the Christian faith from its early and historical proponents through its fusion with western culture, and its subsequent spread throughout the world.
through the ranks of the church and had the utmost respect of the people of
Woodward, Kenneth L. Making Saints : How the Catholic Church Determines Who Becomes a Saint, Who Doesn't, and Why. New York, NY : Simon & Schuster, 1996.
After Saint Patrick being captivated for six years, he became increasingly religious and engaged to a monastery and studied under Saint Germain, bishop of Auxerre, where he spent twelve years in training (theholidayspot.com). He then went to back to Ireland to return as a missionary for thirty years. There he converted, baptized, and set up monasteries (news.nationalgeographic.com). He also set up schools and churches which would aid him in his conversion (classbrain.com). He developed a native clergy, fostered the growth of monasticism, established dioceses, and held church councils (theholidayspot.com). Saint Patrick was sent to Ireland with a dual mission to minister to Christians already living in Ireland and to begin to convert the Irish. Patrick chose to incorporate traditional ritual into his lessons of Christianity instead attempting to eradicate native Irish beliefs (history.com). Saint Patrick was a very recognized and honored saint. Patrick was very quite successful at winning converts. With his active preaching, he made converts even among royal families (theholidayspot.com). He was indeed a very legendary and great bishop with his continuing attempt to teach and spread Christianity. After his death, Saint Patrick was known as the patron saint of
The dictionary says a saint is "a person officially recognized as being entitled to public ...
...spread their religion and did not stop until their death. It is interesting to find out that there were people like that , that dedicated so much of their lives for a cause. I am sure other saints accomplished as much as St. Boniface, but to my knowledge, he seemed like the most active and aggressive. He not only prayed for change, he went out and made it happen. He took journey’s that lasted years, traveled aimlessly at times, from one ship to another converting pagans and spreading the word as he went along. He even went on these missions in his elder years, though dangerous for his age, he continued until his death.
Contrary to common belief, saints are not perfect. Saints simply seek Christ more than anyone else. Saints understand the need for Christ in their own lives through their own experiences. St. Teresa of Avila did not live a perfect life, although she strived to after her conversion. St. Teresa, after living in the world, realized her desperate need for a personal relationship with God, but by no means was she perfect.
Saints come from all around the world. Each one is unique in its very own way. But for me, I’ve been focusing on one in particular. The saint I am focusing on is Saint Anthony of Padua.
The Virgin Mary is celebrated and loved throughout the world. She is the image we all women and child look up to and pray. She was born without original sin and throughout her years she never sinned and that's why she considered the Mother of God. “Mary is what it looks like to believe that we already are who God says we are,” (Weber, Nadia Bolz.).
Saint Damien of Molokai was a missionary to Hawaii, and ended up sacrificing his life to improve the leper colony of Molokai. Saint Damien cared for and wanted to help the ailing lepers of all ages. Saint Damien’s devotion to help the lepers was so strong he decided to stay on Molokai permanently. After contracting leprosy, he continued to help the other lepers out of the kindness of his heart. Saint Damien of Molokai was a martyr of charity because of his undying will to help the lepers on Molokai.
101) Believing in or seeing saints and angels is a practice of Christianity. Continuing, Joan of Arc claimed these saints to be significant French saints through the Christian church, in which she voluntarily and punctually attended. The three saints were identified to be Saint Michael, Saint Catherine, and Saint Margaret. As claimed in the text, The Trial of Joan of Arc, by Daniel Hobbins, these saints had told Joan of Arc “that she was to bring about the deliverance of Orleans from an English siege,” (The Trial of Joan of Arc, pg. 2) and that she needed the help of King Charles VII to do so. This is what initiated Joan of Arc’s experience with a “series of further victories” (The Trial of Joan of Arc, pg. 2), such as the Battle of Orleans, that were all in the name of God, in which reflected on popular piety. Foreshadowing to her trial, during Joan
Jesus Christ was the light that came to earth to brighten the lives of the people. He taught phenomenal and meaningful lessons that changed many hearts and caused people to accept Jesus as their Lord. Jesus Christ is the life of Christianity; the Word of God in flesh. His life, his ministry, and his crucifixion where prophesied long before he was born and Christians believe that they were all fulfilled. He had so much love for human kind that he came to earth to die for the sins of the people, so that their souls would be able to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. The Bible testifies that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who taught memorable life lessons and performed astonishing miracles during his ministry.