TODAY'S SAINT (Bendict Joseph Labre)

BENEDICT JOSEPH LABRE

(1748-1783)

Pilgrim recluse known for his sanctity, austerity and miracles of intervention

Also know as: the "Beggar of Rome

 

 

Benedict Joseph Labre  was born in Amettes, France, on March 25, 1748, the oldest of 18 children. At an early age he showed great interest in austeity and mortification. His uncle was a parish priest in Erin, France, and at age  12 Benedict went to study with him for six  years. He earnestly desired a religious life, but  his parents did not approve. After his uncle died in 1766 he renewed his efforts to join an order and his parents acquiesced. He  was rejected by the  Trappists. He spent a brief six weeks as postulant with the Carthusians.  He received permission to enter the Cisterican abbey of Sept-Fonts, but after a short stay his health failed, and he left.

      Benedict was inspirred to live like St. Alexis and be neither in a cloister nor in the wildeness, but  simply be a pilgrim to the famouus shrines of Christen-dom. Thus, he set out through Europe in 1770. He had only the clothes on his back, a rosary, a crucifix, a Testament, breviary, a copy of the Imitation of Christ and a few other books. If he could not find food  in the wild or was not given any, he rummaged through garbage heaps.