And the king shall greatly desire your beauty

St Dymphna was an eighth century Irish princess who made vows of perpetual virginity to Christ. Like so many other young, consecrated virgins, she became a special object for kings and princes. Her recently widowed father, in fit of despair turned his affection, from his late wife to their daughter, St Dymphna. Naturally horrified, she reasserted her consecration to Christ alone and fled to Belgium with a few attendants. Tradition tells that she used her fortunes there to establish a hospice for the sick and the poor. Her father, learning of foundation, was able to track her down and as she persisted in her vows, he murdered her in a fit of rage.

Her memory and her care for the poor continued to draw crowds of sick, particularly the mentally ill, to the church dedicated to her. By the Middle Ages even the recently expanded nave could no longer accommodate the pilgrims. The local townspeople began receiving the sick into their own homes and caring for them, a tradition which persist until this day. "Boarders" are received into homes where they learn skills, are given jobs suited to their abilities and integrated into the community.

While earthly princes desired the physical and moral beauty of these young, consecrated virgins, Christ, the High King, ardently desires the beauty of their soul, which give expression to the two great commandments, Love of God and Love of Neighbor.

8 x 10”