Nine Prayers to Saint Dymphna

NINE PRAYERS FOR VIRTUE

Faith

Dear St. Dymphna, thou didst give us an example in thine own life of firm faith. Neither flattery, earthly rewards nor the threat of death caused thee to waver in thy fidelity to God. Please help us then, amid the uncertainties of life, to imitate thy wholehearted dedication to Christ. Be good enough to come to our aid in our need, and pray for us to God. Amen. 

Hope 

Good St. Dymphna, thou didst place all thy hope in Christ's promises, and sacrificed even thy life in that hope. The Lord, God, rewarded thy constancy by making thy name known and loved over many centuries by the thousands whom thou hast aided in time of difficulty. Please assist us now in our present necessity, and intercede before God for our intentions. Obtain for us a firm hope like thine own in God's unfailing protection. Amen. 

Charity 

Thou art celebrated St. Dymphna, for thy goodness to others. Both in thy lifetime, and even more in the ages since, thou hast again and again demonstrated thy concern for those who are mentally disturbed or emotionally troubled. Kindly secure for me, then, some measure of thine own serene love, and ask our Lord to give us a share in His life and boundless charity. Amen. 

Prudence 

Thou wert marked in life, St. Dymphna, by a high degree of prudence. Thou didst seeks and follow the advice of thy confessor and spiritual guide. Thou didst flee from temptation even when it meant exile and poverty. In thy last extremity thou didst choose to die rather than offend God. Please help us now by thy merits not only to know what is right, but procure for us also the strength to do it. Amen. 

Justice 

Admirable St. Dymphna, how just thou wert to all whom thou didst encounter, and how careful thou wert to give every person his due, and more than he might desire or expect. By thy power with God please come to assist us to be just to all we meet, and even to be generous in giving everyone more than strict justice requires. Amen. 

Temperance 

Generous St. Dymphna, like all Christ's Martyrs thou didst gain this crowning grace because thou didst prepare for it by a life of self denial. By faithfulness in smaller things thou wert ready for thy final trial. Please teach us by thine example and help to use the good things of life so that we may not miss our chance for life eternal. Help us, too, to watch and pray for ourselves and others. Amen. 

Fortitude 

Courageous St. Dymphna, thy strength was from God. His grace enabled thee to resist evil, and to prefer exile to a life of sinful luxury. Christ's own power preserved thee faithful to Him in life and in death. In thy kindness help us to imitate thine example in little things, and gain for us fortitude to bear with the misfortunes we meet, and strength to overcome our weakness. Amen. 

Chastity 

Most pure virgin, St. Dymphna, we live at a time when many are intent on satisfying every carnal appetite. Thy single-minded dedication to Christ alone is providential and inspiring. Please help us by thy power with God to see life in proportion as thou didst. With thy aid we propose to perform all our actions for a pure motive, and promptly to resist all our evil inclinations. Amen.

Perseverance 

Most faithful St. Dymphna, thou didst remain true to thy Baptismal promises to the very end. Thou art, therefore, honored, known, and loved after 1,400 years by people thou hast aided all over the world. We do not know how long or short a time is left to us of this life here, but help us in any case to be faithful to God to the end. Please gain for us the grace to live one day at a time as if each were to be our last. Amen.

Photo taken from Wikimedia Commons