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FROM THE PASTOR
JUNE 6, 2021
CORPUS CHRISTI

THE SAINT OF THE MONTH – ST. DYMPHNA

Some may recall that a feature of the pastor’s column when I first arrived at St. Paul’s was the Saint of the Month column. It has been several years since this has been featured but I would like to do so today. Since I am writing toward the end of May I would like to feature as our saint of the month, St. Dymphna. Her feast is kept on May 15th. Many know her as the patron of those suffering with mental illness, anxiety, depression, and Alzheimer’s disease. Years ago, she was called the saint who was the patron and intercessor for those with nervous conditions. This expression, nervous condition, was a refined but inaccurate way of speaking of those with mental illness.

What saint is more needed in American society today when it seems all has gone mad. We live in a time where truths are denied and ignored, and individuals want to determine what is true. The One who has said of Himself, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life, namely, Our Lord Jesus Christ, is largely ignored. Instead, our society worships a relativism which has ignored the natural law and the order that God established in creation.

Several weeks ago, a well-known media personality interviewed a man who wishes to be a candidate for high office. The man was dressed as a woman, but obviously was a man. The individual used an expression of himself, when stating that he was suited for high office, I have common sense. Sadly, many do not think this unusual that a man dressed and made up as a woman would claim to have common sense. In the words of an American philosopher, Surrendering to insanity is itself a species of insanity, for it is unreasonable to acquiesce to things that are irrational, or to mindlessly ignore violations against reason and reality. Such is the new way of American life.

But back to our St. Dymphna.

Dymphna was an Irish princess whose mother died when she was an infant. The King, her father, was so saddened that he went mad. Desiring his wife to return to life, in his misperception of reality, he made improper advances toward Dymphna. She in turn fled to Belgium where she gave great service to the poor. Through her great expanse of wealth in service of the poor, her evil and mad father could trace her whereabouts. He travelled to Belgium, found her, and beheaded her. Our little saint had lost her head to one who had lost his mind. St. Dymphna is the patron saint for people who suffer from mental disorders, sexual assault, and anxiety.

Today we are also assaulted by perversities and persecutions as was St. Dymphna. Pornography is free speech. A baby is a choice. Marriage can be what one wants it to be – not what God ordained in the natural order of creation. Marriage could be between two men or two women. A man is a woman if he wants. A woman is a man if she wants.

At a time when so many have lost their way, St. Dymphna is a model and intercessor for us against oppression. The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church. Let us beg Our Eucharistic Lord to fill us with the fortitude to stand fast with the Truth.

Please be sure to see the bulletin for information on the Field of Honor on Saturday June 12th.

Sincere congratulations to our young parishioners who are graduating this June.

In Jesus and Mary,
Monsignor Pereda