A saint honoured in Ireland and Belgium, whose earliest life was written in the 13th century. She is the patron saint of people with mental illness. In Geel, Belgium, families have taken people into their homes for more than 500 years.
Record, Folk and Modern are kept apart, and each one carries its source.
The earliest life of St Dymphna was written in the 13th century. Her story is told in Ireland and in Belgium, and she became the patron saint of people with mental illness.
To verify: The author and manuscript of the 13th-century life, from the sources Wikipedia cites
In the Belgian town of Geel, a tradition of family foster care is more than 500 years old: local families take people with mental illness into their own homes.
To verify: A source on Geel itself for the start of the tradition
St Dymphna belongs to a living Catholic faith. We tell her story and Geel’s, and draw an emblem, never her portrait. A medal is not treatment, and we never suggest it is. In Geel, the care came from people.
