“Patron Saints for the Mentally Ill” by Anthony Albanese

I hope you will be able to join us this evening for Secular Oratory.  After our regular Scripture sharing and social in church, which begins at 7:30, Anthony Albanese will be making his debut with a presentation that I am sure you will find interesting.

You probably are aware that many saints are traditionally invoked for protection against or healing from various illnesses of the body.  But did you know that there are patron saints for emotional and mental illness as well?  Some of them suffered in their own lives, and others took care of family members, friends or neighbors who were in pain; they all testify to the power of Christ to heal and strengthen both body and spirit.  Anthony will talk tonight about the lives of three of them: Saint Dymphna (Ireland, 7th century); Saint Giles (Greece and France, 650-710); and Saint Christina the Astonishing (Belgium, 1150-1224).  I hope you will be able to join us tonight, to learn about these powerful intercessor-saints, and their inspiring stories.

Also, we will be starting tonight to put together our schedule of talks and events for the next few months (February through May).  If you would like to volunteer to give a talk or organize an activity, bring your idea tonight, or let me know by email what date and topic you have in mind.  I’d like to have the new calendar finalized by the 25th of this month.