By OSV News
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops invites the faithful to join in a novena for mental health as part of the second year of the USCCB’s National Catholic Mental Health Campaign.
The nine days of prayer will commence on Oct. 10, which marks the international observance of World Mental Health Day, and conclude Oct. 18, the feast of Saint Luke, the evangelist and a patron of health care, who in the Letter to the Colossians is referenced as “the beloved physician.” (Col 4:14)
Each day of the novena focuses on a particular aspect of mental health, addressing stigma, social relationships, and the impact of factors such as racism and poverty. Saints and others invoked during the novena include Saint Dymphna, patron of those with mental illness; Saint Martin de Porres, who experienced racial discrimination throughout his life; and Dorothy Day, a servant of God who twice attempted suicide as a young woman.
The Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time – which this year falls on Oct. 13, on the fourth day of the novena – has been designated as “Mental Health Sunday” by the USCCB, during which parishes can highlight the campaign by integrating mental health into the homily, offering prayers or special blessings for those experiencing anguish or distress, and including a petition for mental health during the prayer of the faithful at the liturgy.
The novena – which encourages participants to pray, learn about and take action about mental health issues – “is offered in solidarity with those suffering from mental health challenges as well as health care professionals, family, and friends who are caring for people in need,” said the USCCB on its webpage introduction to the novena.
For more information, visit usccb.org/mental-health-novena.
