St. Dymphna and the Lights of Gheel

Description

St. Dymphna is the patron saint of people who have mental illness and those who love them as well as survivors of incest. Shown here in the midst of a storm, trying to keep her flame from going out, St. Dymphna embodies a prayer for serenity, tenacity, and freedom from fear and anxiety. She is shown here with the lights of the village of Gheel in the distance behind her. Gheel, Belgium is where St. Dymphna took refuge when she fled Ireland. She was fleeing her own father, a powerful chieftain who tried to force St. Dymphna to marry him, and who was suffering from a mental illness. The village of Gheel became a safe haven for people with mental illness when pilgrims came St. Dymphna's shrine to pray to be healed, and were taken in and cared for by the people of the village with love and compassion in a family setting.

This watercolor is about 3.5 X 5.25 inches and is painted on Stonehenge paper, which is acid free, and comes matted and framed.

Added on Sep 07, 2009