Mental illness is not a sin, and it is not a lack of faith. It is a cross. And many saints carried this cross on the road to holiness.
If you are struggling with anxiety or depression, know that these holy men and women understand your pain intimately. Ask for their intercession.
1. St. Dymphna (Patron of Mental Illness)
A 7th-century Irish princess who fled her home to escape her father's mental instability and abuse. She is the go-to saint for anyone suffering from nervous disorders, anxiety, or depression. Feast Day: May 15
2. St. Oscar Romero (OCD / Scrupulosity)
The courageous archbishop of San Salvador suffered from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and scrupulosity. He sought counseling and spiritual direction to manage his anxiety while leading his flock through a violent civil war. Feast Day: March 24
3. St. Ignatius of Loyola (Suicidal Ideation)
After his leg was shattered by a cannonball, Ignatius fell into a deep depression and scruples about his past sins. He was so tormented he considered throwing himself out a window. God's grace pulled him out of the darkness to found the Jesuits. Feast Day: July 31
4. St. Jane Frances de Chantal (Doubt & Anxiety)
Despite co-founding the Visitation Order with St. Francis de Sales, she suffered from doubt and darkness for the last 41 years of her life. She maintained a smiling exterior while enduring an interior martyrdom of anxiety. Feast Day: August 12
5. Mother Teresa / St. Teresa of Calcutta (Darkness)
We know now that for 50 years, she felt abandoned by God. She called it "the darkness." She felt no presence of God, only silence. Yet she remained faithful, smiling and serving the poorest of the poor. Feast Day: September 5
6. St. Louis Martin (Dementia / Depression)
The father of St. Thérèse of Lisieux suffered from severe mental illness in his later years (likely cerebral arteriosclerosis) which caused hallucinations and depression. He had to be institutionalized. He offered his suffering for his daughter's vocation. Feast Day: July 12
7. Venerable Matt Talbot (Addiction)
An alcoholic from age 12 to 28, Matt suffered severe depression and withdrawal when he quit drinking. He replaced the addiction with prayer, Mass, and hard work, staying sober for 40 years until his death. Feast Day: June 19
A Prayer to St. Dymphna
Lord, grant relief to those who suffer from anxiety and mental illness. Through the intercession of St. Dymphna, release them from their darkness and give them the peace that surpasses all understanding. Amen.
Prayer is powerful, but so is medicine. If you are in crisis, please seek professional help. God works through doctors, too. For daily prayers for mental health, check the MyPrayerTower app.