Washington Cardinal Robert W. McElroy will be the principal celebrant of a May 9 Mass honoring St. Dymphna – the patron saint of those suffering from mental illnesses – and to pray for persons living with mental health challenges.
The Mass will be offered that day at 11 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle, 1725 Rhode Island Ave NW, Washington, D.C. It is sponsored by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington’s Office of Deaf and Disabilities Ministry.
St. Dymphna is venerated in both the Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church. She was a sixth-century virgin and martyr who was 15 years old when she was killed by her father for refusing to renounce her faith. It is believed that she was martyred on May 30, which is her feast day on the Roman Catholic liturgical calendar. In addition to being the patron saint of those suffering from mental illnesses, she is also the patroness of mental health professionals.
The Mass is also being offered during the annual observance of Mental Health Awareness Month. Since 1949, May has been observed in the United State as Mental Health Awareness Month to raise awareness of and support for those dealing with mental health issues and to reduce the stigma associated with those issues.
Organizers of the May 9 Mass invite people facing mental illness or other mental health challenges, family members, friends, and supporters to attend. It will be interpreted in American Sign Language.
The archdiocesan Office of Deaf and Disabilities Ministry also offers a monthly Mass and recitation of the rosary for persons living with mental health challenges on the second Saturday of every month at 11 a.m. at the Pope Francis Center, 7202 Buchanan Street, Landover Hills, Maryland.
For more information on the May 9 Mass or the monthly Mass, contact the Office of Deaf and Disabilities Ministry at 301-853-4560 or e-mail specialneedsministry@adw.org.