The saints are powerful intercessors, united with God in Heaven and invested in our salvation on Earth. Whether we realize it or not, they are helping us embrace the Cross, avoid sin, and turn our lives to Christ. The saints lived real lives full of many of the same struggles we have ourselves. Having a friend in Heaven who has been through what you are going through now can be a great comfort.
“Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us, and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith” (Hebrews 12: 1-2).
Get to know some of these saints who may help you in your mental health journey, or pray to the Holy Spirit to put the right saint in your path.
St. Dymphna, Patron of Saint of Mental Illness
St. Dymphna
by Tracy Christianson for portraitsofsaints.com
Good Saint Dymphna, great wonder-worker in every affliction of mind and body, I humbly implore your powerful intercession with Jesus through Mary, the Health of the Sick, in my present need. (Mention it.) Saint Dymphna, martyr of purity, patroness of those who suffer with nervous and mental afflictions, beloved child of Jesus and Mary, pray to Them for me and obtain my request.
Our Father, who art in Heaven…
Hail Mary, full of grace…
Glory Be to the Father…
Saint Dymphna, Virgin and Martyr, pray for us.
St. John of God
St. John of God, you understand and witnessed the difficulties of living with a mental illness. You lived in the darkness but found hope. you wrote: "When you feel depressed, have recourse to the Passion of Jesus Christ, our Lord, and his precious wounds, and you will feel great consolation".
Lord our God, grant courage to those for whom we pray and fill them with hope. Help them to remember You love them; they are never alone.
Saint John of God, Patron of those with a Mental Illness, pray for us.
St. Mark Ji Tianxiang
St. Mark Ji Tianxiang is a beautiful witness to the grace of God constantly at work in the most hidden ways, to God’s ability to make great saints of the most unlikely among us, and to the grace poured out on those who remain faithful when it seems even the Church herself is driving them away.
Let’s ask his intercession for all addicts and for all those who are unable to receive the sacraments, that they may have the courage to be faithful to the Church and that they may always grow in their love for and trust in the Lord. St. Mark Ji Tianxiang, pray for us!