Saint Joseph Benedict Labre
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Patron Saint of the Mentally Ill, the Homeless and Beggars
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Feast Day April 16
"A rather unusual Saint who begging, wandered from one shrine to another and wanted to do nothing other than to pray and thereby bear witness to what counts in this life: God.
Of course, his is not an example to emulate, but a signpost, a finger pointing to the essential. He shows us that God alone suffices; that beyond anything in this world, beyond our needs and capacities, what matters, what is essential is to know God.
He makes it clear that the oneness of God means, at the same time, brotherhood and reconciliation among men ... deprived of all but blessed with everything."
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"Something that became very clear to me as a young priest was how many people there are in the church and in the world who really struggle with mental illness - we think of those with chronic depression - we think of people with borderline personalities or schizophrenia all the different forms that can afflict our minds and our psyches. Many people who struggle with mental illness are drawn to the church and rightfully so looking for God - looking for healing - looking for a place that they can call their home - their spiritual place. How important it is that that we welcome them that we love them."
Bishop Donald J. Hying, Madison, Wisconsin
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Articles about Saint Joseph Benedict Labre
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Organization Dedicated to Saint Joseph Benedict Labre
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The Guild of Saint Joseph Benedict Labre:
Our Guild is a Catholic organization that exists solely to support spiritually those suffering from brain disorders and mental illness and their families and friends. St. Pope John Paul calls it the “Illness of the human mind”. Weinvite to read out web pages and find out more of what he said.
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Labre Project - John Carrol Univeristy:
The purpose of Labre is not only to feed the homeless, but to offer them friendship. These friendships are mutually beneficial and an opportunity to see the face of God in people of all kinds.
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A Labre 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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