Novena to St Dymphna
Feast: 15 May
When to pray: Begin on 6 May and finish on 14 May, the eve of the feast. A novena is prayed on nine consecutive days.
Prayer for each day
St Dymphna, patron of those who suffer in mind and spirit, pray for me and for all who are anxious or depressed. Bring us peace and good help. Amen.
Day by day
Day 1: A girl who fled danger
In thee, O Lord, have I hoped, let me never be confounded: deliver me in thy justice.
Ps 30:2 [Ps 31:1], Douay-Rheims
St Dymphna, as a young girl you fled from grave danger in your own home. In thee, O Lord, have I hoped. Protect all who are in danger, especially those who are not safe in their own homes. Amen.
Day 2: Faith from her mother
Calling to mind that faith which is in thee unfeigned, which also dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois and in thy mother Eunice, and I am certain that in thee also.
2 Tim 1:5, Douay-Rheims
St Dymphna, tradition says you learned the faith from your Christian mother. St Paul praised the faith of Timothy's mother and grandmother. Bless all mothers and grandmothers who hand on the faith. Amen.
Day 3: Courage to say no
But Peter and the apostles answering, said: We ought to obey God rather than men.
Acts 5:29, Douay-Rheims
St Dymphna, you refused to do what was evil, even when commanded by your father. We ought to obey God rather than men. Give me the courage to say no to sin, whatever the cost. Amen.
Day 4: Protected by a priest
For he hath given his angels charge over thee; to keep thee in all thy ways.
Ps 90:11 [Ps 91:11], Douay-Rheims
St Dymphna, the priest St Gerebernus fled with you and cared for you. God gives his angels charge over us. Bless all who protect the vulnerable, and keep me in God's care. Amen.
Day 5: Martyrdom
Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer. Behold, the devil will cast some of you into prison, that you may be tried: and you shall have tribulation ten days. Be thou faithful unto death: and I will give thee the crown of life.
Apoc 2:10 [Rev 2:10], Douay-Rheims
St Dymphna, you were put to death for your faith and purity. Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee the crown of life. Strengthen all who suffer for doing what is right. Amen.
Day 6: Geel and its care for the mind
Naked, and you covered me: sick, and you visited me: I was in prison, and you came to me.
Matt 25:36, Douay-Rheims
St Dymphna, at Geel, where you are honoured, people suffering in mind have long been welcomed into family homes. Christ said, I was sick, and you visited me. Bless all who care for those with mental illness. Amen.
Day 7: Patron of those who suffer in mind
Come to me all you that labor and are burdened, and I will refresh you.
Matt 11:28, Douay-Rheims
St Dymphna, patroness of those who suffer in mind and spirit, I commend to you all who struggle with anxiety, depression or despair. Jesus says, Come to me, and I will refresh you. Bring them to him, and lead them to the help they need. Amen.
Day 8: Families who care
Bear ye one another’s burdens: and so you shall fulfil the law of Christ.
Gal 6:2, Douay-Rheims
St Dymphna, families of those who suffer in mind carry a heavy burden. Bear ye one another's burdens. Give them patience, strength and hope, and let them never feel alone. Amen.
Day 9: Hope and peace
And the peace of God, which surpasseth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Phil 4:7, Douay-Rheims
St Dymphna, may the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, keep our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Obtain peace of mind for me and for all I have prayed for in this novena. Amen.
Scripture
Douay-Rheims numbering (modern in brackets): 2 Tim 1:5; Acts 5:29; Apoc 2:10 [Rev 2:10]; Gal 6:2; Matt 11:28; Matt 25:36; Phil 4:7; Ps 30:2 [Ps 31:1]; Ps 90:11 [Ps 91:11]. Scripture index
Source
Written for The Crusade, 2026. How we check sources