Divine Mercy University Celebrates Blessing of Chapel dedicated to Mental Health Needs

    STERLING, VA, September 17, 2024 /24-7PressRelease/ -- On Saturday, September 21, 2024 at eleven in the morning, Divine Mercy University, a Catholic Graduate School of Counseling and Psychology, will celebrate the Blessing of the St. Dymphna Chapel, a new chapel located on the first floor of the university dedicated to those suffering from mental afflictions. The Most Reverend Bishop Michael F. Burbidge, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Arlington, Virginia will be the Main Celebrant and conduct the Prayer of Blessing of the Chapel alongside The Most Reverend Paul S. Loverde, Bishop Emeritus of Arlington.

Divine Mercy University (DMU) President, Fr. Charles Sikorsky, LC, JD, JCL shared his profound joy and sense of gratitude, "We feel so blessed to be able to open our chapel dedicated to prayer for those suffering with mental, emotional and family problems. It pains us all to see how this crisis continues to grow in our communities and culture. In addition to the best scientific treatments and therapies, God's grace and help are essential for people to experience complete healing."

Prayer and the sacraments form the heart and soul of Divine Mercy University. The mission of the university aligns with the belief that true healing incorporates God's grace with the skill of the human sciences. It is the desire for this chapel to be "a house of prayer for all people." It is especially dedicated to those suffering from mental afflictions, to their families and friends, and to those who seek to accompany, treat, and heal them. Beautiful portraits of St. Dymphna and several other saints with a connection to mental health will be a prominent part of the chapel.

"St. Dymphna is the Catholic Church's patron saint for those with mental health disorders. She died a martyr by resisting an extremely grave domestic violence situation. Over the centuries, her example and intercessory prayer have been an inspiration for many. We want to share her story and love for God with our community and the population at large," said, Fr. Charles Sikorsky, LC, JD, JCL.

The Most Rev. Michael F. Burbidge, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Arlington, has continuously supported Divine Mercy University since the Sterling Campus opening and blessing in 2019. Bishop Burbidge encouraged the school in its mission to bring a Catholic understanding of the human person to the study of psychological science, calling the school community a treasure of the diocese.

"Those associated with the university and all who gathered here today have been chosen to be instruments of God's divine mercy," said Bishop Burbidge during his homily at the campus opening in 2019, "So we gather here to seek the grace to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received and to help others remove from their lives doubt, fear and the sense of helplessness."

The service will also be livestreamed for those wishing to join from home. The video will be available on the Divine Mercy University YouTube channel.

ABOUT DIVINE MERCY UNIVERSITY

Divine Mercy University (DMU) is a Catholic graduate institution of higher education offering degree programs in psychology and counseling, founded in 1999 as the Institute for the Psychological Sciences. The university is dedicated to the scientific study of psychology with a Catholic understanding of the human person, marriage, and the family. The university offers Master of Science (M.S.) degrees in Psychology and Counseling, a Doctoral (Psy.D.) degree in Clinical Psychology and a certificate in Spiritual Direction. For more information, visit https://divinemercy.edu.

Divine Mercy University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award masters and doctorate degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Divine Mercy University.

The IPS doctoral program in clinical psychology (Psy.D.) is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association (APA). *Questions related to the program's accredited status should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation: Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation American Psychological Association 750 1st Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 Phone (202)-336-5979 / Email: [email protected] / Web: www.apa.org/ed/accreditation

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