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Also known as: Beggar of
Perpetual Adoration
Memorial: 16 April
Profile
Oldest of 15 children in a prosperous middle class family. Educated by his
uncle, a parish priest. Following his uncle's death, he tried to join the
Trappists, Carthusians, and Cistercians, but was rejected by them all.
Spent years wandering Europe, especially Rome, in complete poverty,
spending his days in perpetual adoration in the cathedrals. Given to
religious ecstasies when contemplating the Crown of Thorns; reputed to
float, soar, and bilocate when in these swoons. He begged in the streets,
and if he was given more than he needed for the day, he would give the
remainder to some one he considered more in need than he was. Cured some
of his fellow homeless, and reported to have multiplied bread for them.
Noted counselor to people of all walks in Rome. He died in a hospice,
exhausted from his life of austerity. His biography, written by his
confessor Marconi, describes 136 miraculous cures attributed to him within
three months of his death.
Born: 25 March 1748 at Amettes, Boulogne, France
Died: 17 April 1783 at Rome
Beatified: 1859 by Pope Pius IX
Canonized: 8 December 1883 by Pope Leo XIII
Name Meaning: blessed ( = Benedict)
Patronage: bachelors, beggars, hoboes, homeless people, insanity,
mental illness, mentally ill people, people rejected by religious orders,
pilgrims, tramps, unmarried men
Representation: beggar in a tri-cornered hat sharing his alms
Prayer:
Saint Benedict Joseph Labre, you gave up honor, money and home for
love of Jesus. Help us to set our hearts on Jesus and not on the things
of this world. You lived in obscurity among the poor in the streets.
Enable us to see Jesus in our poor brothers and sisters and not judge by
appearances. Make us realize that in helping them we are helping Jesus.
Show us how to befriend them and not pass them by.
Saint Benedict Joseph Labre, you had a great love for prayer. Obtain
for us the grace of persevering prayer, especially adoration of Jesus in
the Most Blessed Sacrament.
Saint Benedict Joseph Labre, poor in the eyes of men but rich in the
eyes of God, pray for us. Amen.
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