AKA: Worry, Fear, Nervousness
Anxiety is a normal and often helpful response to stress, danger or uncertainty. It's the body's natural response to perceived threats, and it can be experienced as a feeling of uneasiness, worry, fear, or nervousness. Everyone experiences it at some level or another during their lifetime. Anxiety becomes a problem when it is excessive, persistent, and interferes with daily life.
Feeling anxious is often fueled by negative thoughts and beliefs or lack of sleep. Alcohol and drugs are sometimes the attempted remedy but often worsens anxiety and makes it harder to manage. Some everyday situations are common triggers like social events or travel. There are many different types of anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and specific phobias.
For many people, prayer can be a source of comfort and support during times of anxiety. It can help reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness as well as promote feelings of peace, gratitude, and hope. There are some saints who are often called upon or are relatable figures for those struggling with anxiety.
Who is the Patron Saint of Anxiety
The most common called upon Patron Saint of Anxiety is St. Dymphna probably because she is also the Patron Saint of Mental Illness. Some of the other saints to look to for intercession are St. Padre Pio, St. Therese of Lisieux and Our Lady Undoer of Knots. You may also want to look at the Patron Saints of Healing as well for their intercessory powers.
St. Dymphna, according to legend, was a 7th century Celtic chieftain’s daughter. Her father had a mental breakdown from grief after his wife died. He sent men all over the countryside to find a woman that would compare to his deceased wife, but they found no one. His fixation turned to his beautiful daughter who had a very close resemblance to her mother.
She escaped with the help of two friends and a priest who fled to Belgium and built an oratory there and later became hermits. Following the coins they used throughout their travels, her father tracked them down and told them to come back home. Refusing to return with him, he beheaded her and killed the priest and her friends who helped her escape.
Hundreds of years later, the four martyr’s relics were found in a town called Gheel and it was reported that prayers for Dymphna’s intercession resulted in the healing of the mentally ill. Many people believe that praying to St. Dymphna can provide comfort, hope, and healing to those struggling with emotional and psychological distress.
The village where the relics were found, Gheel, miraculously dedicated itself to the healing and help of the mentally ill. In the 13th century, it started a hospital there for those dealing with mental health issues. The citizens of Gheel would even open up their houses to those suffering from mental illness whenever the hospital would become overcrowded. They would accept them as members of their own family. The patients were given the dignity of work as a way to help them on their healing journey. This beautiful custom endures on today.
St. Padre Pio was a Capuchin friar from Italy known for his deep prayer life and piety for Our Lord. He was famous for the miracles surrounding him like bilocation, healings and the stigmata.
Even though he was very holy, he did face many struggles and physical ailments during his lifetime. Despite this, he lived a life dedicated to the will of God. Because of this, many people flocked to him seeking strength in the middle of their dark times. One famous message he would regularly share with his followers was “Pray, hope, and don’t worry. God is merciful and will hear your prayer.”
St. Therese of Lisieux was a Carmelite sister who lived in late 19th century France. She was declared a Doctor of the Church and is known for her spiritual writings, including her autobiography "Story of a Soul," in which she describes her own struggles with anxiety and doubt. She suffered from scrupulosity and felt disconnected from God throughout many times in her life. Despite her personal struggles with feeling unforgiven, she remained committed to her faith and was able to take her need for security in relationships into her relationship with Jesus Christ.
We should turn to St. Therese for her intercession but also use her as an example of unwavering trust in God’s goodness and loving care.
Our Lady Undoer of Knots, is a title given to Mary, the mother of Jesus, referring to a particular image of Mary that was painted by an unknown artist in the 18th century, and has since become a popular devotion among Catholics. The image depicts Mary standing on a crescent moon, with her hands outstretched and surrounded by angels. The angels are holding a long ribbon that is covered in knots, which represent the struggles and problems of human life. Mary is shown untying the knots with her gentle touch, symbolizing her ability to intercede on behalf of those who pray to her, and to help them find peace and resolution to their problems.
Like a knot, anxiety can also feel like something that is difficult to unravel or untangle. Anxious thoughts and emotions can become tangled up with each other, creating a sense of confusion or overwhelm. You can pray to Mary for her intercession in untying the anxious knots in your life.
Click here for our list of Patron Saints.
Prayers for Anxiety
A Prayer to St. Dymphna
Gentle St. Dymphna, patron of those suffering from anxiety, through your kind intercession may Christ restore my strength, hope, and peace of mind and heart. Just as you so patiently bore the illness and persecution of your father, obtain for me the patience I need, so that I may accept the trials of my life with loving resignation to the will of God. In the midst of daily struggles, help me to love God with my whole heart and serve Him faithfully. Recommend my request to Mary, Queen of Peace and Comforter of the Afflicted, that both of you may present it to Jesus, the Divine Physician. Amen.
A Prayer for Suffering From Anxious or Fearful Thoughts
O Lord my God, be not far from me. O my God, hasten to help me, for varied thoughts and great fears have risen up within me, afflicting my soul. How shall I escape them unharmed? How shall I dispel them?
“I will go before you,” says the Lord, “and will humble the great ones of earth. I will open the doors of the prison, and will reveal to you hidden secrets.”
Do as You say, Lord, and let all evil thoughts fly from Your face. This is my hope and my only comfort—to fly to You in all tribulation, to confide in You, and to call on You from the depths of my heart and to await patiently for Your consolation. Amen.
Our Lady Undoer of Knots Prayer
O Virgin Mary, Mother who never refuses to come to the help of your children in need, Mother whose hands never stop working for the welfare of your children, moved as they are by the loving mercy and kindness that exists in your Immaculate Heart, cast your compassionate and merciful eyes on me and see the snarl of knots that exists in my life.
Oh Mother! You know the difficulties, sorrow and pain that I’ve had because of them.
O loving Mother, I place the ribbon of my life and these knots into your loving hands,
Hands which can undo even the most difficult knot.
Most holy Mother, come to my aid and intercede for me before God with your prayers.
I cast these knots into your hands (mention your intention/need) and beg you to undo it,
In the name of your son, Jesus Christ, and for the glory of God, once and for all.
Our Lady, Undoer of Knots, pray for us! Amen.
Related Patron Saint Jewelry and Rosaries
Buy some beautiful St. Dymphna, St. Padre Pio, St. Therese of Lisieux and Our Lady Undoer of Knots jewelry to keep you or your loved one close to the patron saint of anxieity and be a symbol of your faith.