Benedict Joseph Labre
Benedict Joseph Labre was a French Franciscan tertiary and Catholic saint, known for his life of pilgrimage and begging across Europe. He is remembered as a devout pilgrim who embraced poverty and visited major Christian shrines, and is now the patron saint of the homeless.
- Feast Day
- April 16
- Century
- 18th century
- Country Or Region
- France
Key Facts
- ›He was born on March 26, 1748, in Amettes, France, the eldest of fifteen children.
- ›After failed attempts to join monastic orders, he became a Franciscan tertiary and dedicated his life to pilgrimage.
- ›He traveled extensively throughout Europe, visiting major shrines and subsisting by begging.
- ›Labre is considered a 'Fool-for-Christ' and spent many hours in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
- ›He died of malnutrition and exhaustion in Rome on April 16, 1783, and was buried in the Church of Santa Maria ai Monti.
- ›He was declared Blessed in 1860 and canonized in 1881.
Benoît-Joseph Labre, Saint of the Forty Hours, The saint of the Forty Hours
the Homeless
Franciscans, Trappist, Carthusians, Cistercians
About Benedict Joseph Labre
Benedict Joseph Labre (1748–1783) was a French Franciscan tertiary and Catholic saint, revered for his life of extreme penance and pilgrimage. Born into a well-to-do family near Arras, France, he initially sought a monastic life, attempting to join the Trappists, Carthusians, and Cistercians, but was rejected by each order due to his perceived unsuitability for communal living.
Life and Pilgrimage
Following his rejections from monastic life, Labre felt a divine calling to a different path: a life of penitential pilgrimage. Inspired by the examples of Saint Alexius of Rome and Saint Roch, he chose to live "in the midst of the world" as a devout pilgrim, visiting famous Christian shrines. He joined the Third Order of Saint Francis and embraced a life of profound poverty, subsisting entirely by begging.
Labre embarked on extensive journeys throughout Europe, walking to numerous major shrines. He visited Rome, Loreto, Assisi, Naples, and Bari in Italy, as well as Einsiedeln in Switzerland, Paray-le-Monial in France, and Santiago de Compostela in Spain, often making these pilgrimages multiple times. During his travels, he lived in extreme austerity, sleeping in the open or in rudimentary shelters, his clothes often muddy and ragged.
Spiritual Devotion and Legacy
Labre was known for his deep devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, spending many hours in adoration. Tradition holds that he experienced mystical states, including levitation and bilocation, particularly when contemplating the crown of thorns. He was also reported to have performed miracles, such as healing the sick and multiplying bread for the poor.
In his later years, Labre resided in Rome, sometimes living in the ruins of the Colosseum, and would only leave for an annual pilgrimage to Loreto. He became a familiar figure in the city, earning the nickname "the saint of the Forty Hours" for his dedication to Eucharistic adoration. He died on April 16, 1783, in Rome, from malnutrition and exhaustion.
Veneration
Benedict Joseph Labre was beatified by Blessed Pius IX in 1860 and canonized by Pope Leo XIII in 1881. He is primarily venerated as the patron saint of the homeless, a testament to his life of self-denial and service to God through the marginalized.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Benedict Joseph Labre?
Benedict Joseph Labre was a French Franciscan tertiary and Catholic saint. He is known for his life of pilgrimage, begging, and devotion, particularly his dedication to visiting major Christian shrines across Europe.
Why did Benedict Joseph Labre become a pilgrim?
After failing to join several monastic orders, Labre felt inspired to abandon worldly comforts and lead a penitential life as a pilgrim, visiting famous places of Christian devotion.
What is Benedict Joseph Labre patron saint of?
Benedict Joseph Labre is the patron saint of the homeless. This patronage stems from his own life of poverty, wandering, and reliance on alms.
When did Benedict Joseph Labre live?
Benedict Joseph Labre lived from March 26, 1748, to April 16, 1783. He died in Rome during Holy Week.
What was Benedict Joseph Labre's religious affiliation?
Benedict Joseph Labre was a member of the Third Order of Saint Francis. He also had early aspirations to join the Trappist, Carthusian, and Cistercian monastic orders.
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