*Heritage Fest at Casa de Almeida João - Assolna* *The Feast of St. Dymphna on 15 th May 2014 at 10.45 a.m. *
The image of saint Dymphna the saint for emotional well being and 20 different ailments will be kept open for the public on the occasion of her feast from 10 .45 am onwards followed by a traditional meal at the house of Lida João“Casa de Almeida”sBainfol,Assolna, soon after Assolna Police Outpost . on the Main assolna - Betul Road ,Salcete Goa .. Viewing is Open to the public of all faiths from 10.45 a.m.till 9.30. p.m.fr details Contact 2773333 Dear Editor Please list this feast in your events column Thanks and regards zoya *Saint Dymphna – the matron saint a woman should emulate in the modern times in a world full of trials and tribulations. Born in the 7th century in Ireland to the pagan king of Oriel and a devout mother remarkable for her piety and beauty. This forgotten saint on account of her spotless virtue and glorious martyrdom is also known as the ‘Lily of Fire’.Dympna being filled with the fervor and love for Jesus Christ chose him for her Divine spouse and was consecrated to a vow of chastity An unexpected cloud overshadowed Dimpna’s happiness with her mother’s death at the age of 14 and her father too greatly mourned the death as well and continued to prostrate with grief till at length he was persuaded by his counselors to seek solace in a 2nd marriage so he commissioned from his court to seek him a lady in beauty and character like his earlier spouse , after visiting many countries in vain the messengers returned back stating that there was none so charming and amiable as his own lovely daughter giving ear to their suggestion Damon dympna’s father conceived an evil design of marrying her . With persuasive words he manifested his purpose to her and Dympna was horrified by this suggestion and asked for a period of 40 days to consider the proposal . She immediately on the advise of Fr. Gerberan fled to Antwerp and then to the village of Gheel . Her father on hearing this set out in search of her and persuaded her to return back but Fr.Gerberan rebuked him for his wicked intentions, whereby he gave orders to Fr.Gereberan to be put to death ,Dympna’s father inducement to return with him proved futile ans she spurned his enticing promises , infuriated by her resistance Damon drew a dagger and struck the head of his own child ,recommending her soul to the mercy of God ,she fell prostrate at the feet of her insanely raving father and the crown of martyrdom came to her at the age of 15 and on the 15th of May between 620 to 640 .her feast day. This saint is depicted in various forms such as being beheaded by the king, kneeling at mass ehile her father murders the priest Gerebernus ,lamp, praying in a cloud surrounded by a group of lunatics bound with golden chains, princess with a sword holding the devil on a leash, young woman with Saint Gerebernus . Dimpna is a patron saint for sleepwalking, epilepsy, insanity, mental illnesses and disorders,insanity, epilepsy,Incest victims, possessed, mental health givers and professionals, princesses, psychiatrists, rape victims, runaway brides, sleepwalkers, therapists, nervous and neurological disorders, mental hospitals and asylums., The feast day is celebrated on May 15 th and on this day the image is kept open to the people to pay their obeisance or for those who wish to have a glimpse of this forgotten saint at the ancestral house of Lida Joao at ;Casa de Almeida’s at Bainfol Assolna , Salcete .Every year there is a service wherein the relic is kissed by the faithful irrespective of their religious backgrounds and the devotees are anointed with the holy oil.At the end of the ceremony always proceeds the traditional meal to commemorate the feast of this unfamiliar saint .It is attended by hundreds of faithfuls.The nine days novena constitutes 9 different intentions starting from faith,hope,charity, piety,prudence, justice,fortitude, temperance,and lastly chastity. There lies the church in Gheel inhonour of St.Dymphna at the site of the original tombs which were white as snow one of Fr.Gereberanus and when the coffin of the saint was opened there was found lying on her chest a red tile with the inscription ‘Here lies the holy virgin and Martyr Dymhna’.Here miracles and cures continually occur in increasing numbers.In Gheel the insane are treated in a peculiar manner,wherebythey are placed in an institution for observation and thereafter sheltered in the homes of the inhabitants there , and are allowed to lead a normal life ,by taking part in agricultural activities etc. and are being watched without being conscious of it,and are also treated very kindly wherein the treatment proves effective.The old church in Gheel was destroyed by fire in 1489 and the new church was built in 1532 which stands till date. . There also exists a church in America at Masilon Ohio the first in honour of this saint, there are miracles attributed to attempts to suicides in hotel rooms to beaches .,a saint though lesser known but with an impact. By Lida João *
