Of all the patron saints in the Roman Catholic Church, Benedict Labre (1748 – 1783) is a patron saint who appeals to the imagination. Rejected by all possible monasteries where he applied – or he himself said goodbye in disappointment – he decided to devote his life to God, wandering as a mendicant monk, as a ‘vagabond of God’. It is therefore not surprising that he became the patron saint of the poor and homeless. Many European homeless shelters are named after Benedict Labre. His feast day is April 16 (death anniversary). He visited many pilgrimage places to pray. In Rome he was seen in practically all the churches. His life was partly dominated by extraordinary phenomena, such as being in two places at the same time, lights around his body and visions that he shared. Benedict Labre was canonized in 1881.
Contents
- Early years of Benedict Labre
- Turning point in his life
- Failed monastic life
- Wandering existence
- Maligned and mistreated
- Rome
- Miracles
- Death of Benedict Labre
- Canonization
- Attributes and iconography
- Patronage
- Invocation of Benedict Labre
Early years of Benedict Labre
Benedictus Jozef Labre (Benoît Joseph Labre) was born on March 25, 1748 and died on April 16, 1783. He grew up in his hometown of Amettes (Northern France) as the eldest of a large family (15 children). His parents, Jean-Baptiste Labre and Anne-Barbe Grandsire, had a successful shop, making the family relatively prosperous. His early interest in religious matters made the parents decide to bring him into close contact with two uncles, one from his mother’s side and later from his father’s side (a pastor in Érin), from whom he received instruction on all possible religious matters in Catholicism.
Benedict Joseph Labre, painting in the l’église d’Amettes / Source: Musaraigne, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA-3.0)
Turning point in his life
Benedict Labre’s early religious development took place at a time when the region was hit hard by diseases and epidemics. There were many victims, especially in 1766. Benedict helped care for the sick and assisted in the pastoral duties of his uncle. That year his mentor also became seriously ill.
Life path
The illness and death of his teacher were a turning point in his life. He left the region where he was born and raised and followed a life path dominated by prayer and poverty, entirely following Jesus’ example. With increasing materialism in the background, his way of life would pose a social challenge and call for reflection.
Failed monastic life
There are many stories going around about the fact that monastic life was not for Benedict. He is said to have been rejected numerous times by abbots, but also to have left certain monasteries on his own initiative. The abbot of the La Grande Trappe monastery in Sept-Fons (central France) is said to have said to him: ‘God does not want you here. You’re still too young. In addition, Benedict had no recommendation, which was important at the time. A carthusianry did not dare, thought it was too dangerous, and rejected him because so many brothers had already died during the epidemic.
Carthusians The Order of the Carthusians had founded monastic communities that were characterized by ‘seclusion and loneliness in community’. He was eventually accepted into one of those communities, but he soon realized that this kind of devotion to God did not suit his character. He expected comfort in their spartan way of life, but he was disappointed. It also did not work with the Cistercians in Autun (Burgundy), because he contracted an illness among the members there. After all these failed attempts, he realized that his devotion to God did not lie in the monasteries. He decided to follow his own path, with God as his only companion. A wandering life to places of pilgrimage and places of worship. In Rome he would visit almost all the churches and for that reason the ‘tramp of God’ was called ‘beggar of Rome’.
Benedict Joseph Labre, painting by Antonio Cavallucci / Source: Antonio Cavallucci, Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
Wandering existence
In the following years, Benedict Labre made a pilgrimage from northern France south, across Switzerland to Italy, finally arriving in Rome in 1771. He lived like a beggar and was satisfied with what people gave him. Along the way he visited places of pilgrimage in France, Switzerland and Italy. He was even seen in Santiago de Compostella in Spain. And in Naples, and in many other places where saints had lived or where they had been buried.
Maligned and mistreated
No diary of Benedict Labre has ever been found in which he might have written down his religious and spiritual quests and reflections, despite the fact that it is likely that he could read and write. He slept in the open, was raggedly dressed and traveled on foot. It is not known whether he also accepted a lift with farm carts or other transport during his wanderings. He invariably shared what food he received with other needy people he encountered. He was often vilified and trampled upon. He spoke little, prayed all the more and resignedly accepted the mistreatment of his fellow man.
Rome
He reportedly lived in Rome from late 1771, often hiding in a hole in an old city wall and near the Colosseum. He is said to have known almost all the churches and to have prayed there regularly. During ceremonies and special services he was usually present, lonely and alone in a pew, staying behind to pray. In other words, he lived like an animal among people, sleeping in the nooks and crannies of centuries-old buildings.
Miracles
Throughout his wandering life he shared bread with other beggars he met. It is even recorded that he sometimes multiplied his alms, as Jesus had done with the bread. He is also said to have healed people. Furthermore, one would have observed lights around him and auras. He is said to have had visions and sometimes to have been exalted. He may even have been seen in two places at the same time.
Benedict Joseph Labre, stained glass in the l’église Saint-Louis, Bordeaux / Source: Reinhardhauke, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA-3.0)
Death of Benedict Labre
In the last years of his life he did not leave Rome again. He usually stayed in the ruins of the Colosseum. According to one story, he was admitted to a guest house in a weakened condition. Another story tells that on the day before his death he was received on the steps of the Marian church of Santa Maria ai Monti, in the Roman district of Monti, after which he was transferred to a nearby house where he died on Holy Week on April 16, 1783 to malnutrition. He was 35 years old at the time. Benedict Labre was buried in the St. Mary’s Church where he collapsed on the steps. Despite his poor life, and the fact that he was often vilified as a beggar, he was buried with solemn display in the said church. Posthumously, people increasingly regarded him as a saint who had lived among them.
Canonization
Pope Pius IX (1792-1878) beatified Benedict Joseph Labre in 1860, after which Pope Leo XIII (1810-1903) canonized him in 1881. His name day is April 16, the anniversary of his death.
Attributes and iconography
Benedict Labre is often depicted as a wanderer or pilgrim with a beard, raggedly dressed and carrying a begging bowl, holding a crucifix to his chest, and sometimes wearing a rosary.
Patronage
Benedict Labre is the patron saint of the poor, the needy, the wanderers and the homeless, or the displaced in the broadest sense of the word. Since the 20th century, many shelters for the homeless have been named after him in Europe, the so-called Labrehuizen, such as in Utrecht and Eindhoven.
Invocation of Benedict Labre
God, you have most intimately connected your professor Benedict Joseph Labre to you: through his intercession, help me to despise everything earthly and always seek the heavenly. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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