The Sanctuary Course for Catholics is a study guide for small groups, designed to raise awareness and start conversations in local churches regarding mental health. Your group might include:
People with questions about mental health
Mental health professionals with a wealth of knowledge to share
Leaders who want to engage their community in mental health conversations
People supporting loved ones with mental health problems
People living with mental health problems
The Sanctuary Course for Catholics is for anyone who wants to learn about faith and mental health. It requires no previous training or expertise—just a willingness to engage in dialogue with other believers. This course and films address difficult and sensitive topics, and may not be appropriate for a young audience. It is not recommended for people ages 17 and younger.
The Sanctuary Course for Catholics is also available in Spanish!
Born during the 7th century to Irish royalty, St. Dymphna’s mother, the queen, had the girl baptized and raised in the faith in secret because of her husband’s pagan beliefs. When Dymphna was only fourteen, her beloved mother died and the king went mad in his great state of grief. He decided that he wanted to marry Dymphna, his own daughter, because she looked so much like her mother. Dymphna, who had made a vow of virginity before God, was horrified by her father’s proposal and adamantly refused.