About St. Benedict Joseph Labre
St. Benedict Joseph Labre was born on March 26, 1748, in Amettes, France. As a young man, he desired to enter religious life, but several monasteries declined his application because of his delicate health. Accepting this disappointment as God’s will, he embraced a life as a homeless pilgrim dedicated entirely to prayer and penance.
He traveled on foot to many of Europe’s greatest pilgrimage sites, including Rome, Loreto, Assisi, Santiago de Compostela, and Einsiedeln. Owning almost nothing, he relied completely on God’s providence and spent long hours in prayer, especially before the Blessed Sacrament.
St. Benedict Joseph Labre eventually settled in Rome, where he became known for his extraordinary humility, charity, and deep devotion to God. He died on April 16, 1783, and was canonized by Pope Leo XIII in 1881.
Today, he is remembered as a model of holiness, simplicity, and trust in God’s loving care.
Feast Day: April 16
Who was St. Benedict Joseph Labre?
St. Benedict Joseph Labre was a French pilgrim and mystic who renounced worldly possessions to live a life of poverty, prayer, and complete trust in God. His humility and devotion to the Eucharist earned him the title “Beggar Saint.”
What is the St. Benedict Joseph Labre Novena for?
Catholics often pray this novena for:
- Humility
- Trust in God’s providence
- Detachment from worldly possessions
- Perseverance in prayer
- Love for the Holy Eucharist
- Compassion for the poor
- Spiritual growth
- Guidance during difficult times
- Special personal intentions
When should I pray the St. Benedict Joseph Labre Novena?
You may pray this novena at any time during the year. Many Catholics begin it on April 7, so it concludes on his feast day of April 16.
How do I pray the St. Benedict Joseph Labre Novena?
Begin with the Sign of the Cross, pray the novena prayer while presenting your personal intention, and conclude with:
- Pray One: Our Father
- Pray One: Hail Mary
- Pray One: Glory Be
Repeat the novena for nine consecutive days.
What is St. Benedict Joseph Labre the patron saint of?
St. Benedict Joseph Labre is the patron saint of:
- The homeless
- Beggars
- Pilgrims
- The poor
- Those rejected by society
- People suffering from mental illness (in some places by local devotion)
Why is St. Benedict Joseph Labre called the “Beggar Saint”?
Although he came from a respectable family, St. Benedict Joseph Labre freely chose a life of radical poverty after being unable to enter religious life. He owned very little, begged only when necessary, and devoted himself entirely to prayer, pilgrimage, and trust in God’s providence.
Why is St. Benedict Joseph Labre important to Catholics today?
His life reminds us that holiness does not depend on wealth, education, or social status. By living in humility, embracing suffering, and spending countless hours before the Blessed Sacrament, he showed that true happiness is found in loving God above all things.
Can I pray the St. Benedict Joseph Labre Novena for someone who is homeless or struggling?
Yes. Many Catholics pray this novena for those experiencing homelessness, poverty, loneliness, unemployment, or spiritual discouragement. It is also fitting to pray for those seeking deeper trust in God’s providence.
Is the St. Benedict Joseph Labre Novena approved by the Catholic Church?
Yes. The St. Benedict Joseph Labre Novena is a private Catholic devotion inspired by the life and virtues of St. Benedict Joseph Labre. While novenas are not part of the Church’s official liturgy, they are a long-standing and cherished tradition that encourages the faithful to persevere in prayer and seek the intercession of the saints.
| Novena Begins: | April 7th |
| Feast Day: | April 16th |
Patron Saint of Unmarried men (bachelors), rejects, mental illness, mentally ill people, insanity, beggars, hobos, the homeless
Day 1 – St. Benedict Joseph Labre Novena
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O glorious St. Benedict Joseph Labre, you gave up honor, wealth, and the comforts of home for the love of Jesus Christ. Help us to set our hearts on Him and not on the passing things of this world.
You lived in humility and obscurity among the poor and forgotten. Teach us to recognize the face of Christ in our brothers and sisters who are in need, and never to judge by outward appearances. Help us to remember that whatever we do for the least of our brethren, we do for Jesus Himself. Inspire us to love, serve, and befriend the poor with compassion and generosity.
St. Benedict Joseph Labre, you had a profound love for prayer. Obtain for us the grace of perseverance in prayer, especially in adoration of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Most Blessed Sacrament.
Through your powerful intercession, I humbly ask for this special favor:
(Mention your request here…)
Faithful servant of God, poor in the eyes of the world but rich in the treasures of heaven, pray that we may live lives of humility, trust, and holiness, seeking above all the Kingdom of God.
St. Benedict Joseph Labre, pray for us. Amen.
Pray One: Our Father…
Pray One: Hail Mary…
Pray One: Glory Be…
Day 2 – St. Benedict Joseph Labre Novena
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O glorious St. Benedict Joseph Labre, you gave up honor, wealth, and the comforts of home for the love of Jesus Christ. Help us to set our hearts on Him and not on the passing things of this world.
You lived in humility and obscurity among the poor and forgotten. Teach us to recognize the face of Christ in our brothers and sisters who are in need, and never to judge by outward appearances. Help us to remember that whatever we do for the least of our brethren, we do for Jesus Himself. Inspire us to love, serve, and befriend the poor with compassion and generosity.
St. Benedict Joseph Labre, you had a profound love for prayer. Obtain for us the grace of perseverance in prayer, especially in adoration of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Most Blessed Sacrament.
Through your powerful intercession, I humbly ask for this special favor:
(Mention your request here…)
Faithful servant of God, poor in the eyes of the world but rich in the treasures of heaven, pray that we may live lives of humility, trust, and holiness, seeking above all the Kingdom of God.
St. Benedict Joseph Labre, pray for us. Amen.
Pray One: Our Father…
Pray One: Hail Mary…
Pray One: Glory Be…
Day 3 – St. Benedict Joseph Labre Novena
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O glorious St. Benedict Joseph Labre, you gave up honor, wealth, and the comforts of home for the love of Jesus Christ. Help us to set our hearts on Him and not on the passing things of this world.
You lived in humility and obscurity among the poor and forgotten. Teach us to recognize the face of Christ in our brothers and sisters who are in need, and never to judge by outward appearances. Help us to remember that whatever we do for the least of our brethren, we do for Jesus Himself. Inspire us to love, serve, and befriend the poor with compassion and generosity.
St. Benedict Joseph Labre, you had a profound love for prayer. Obtain for us the grace of perseverance in prayer, especially in adoration of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Most Blessed Sacrament.
Through your powerful intercession, I humbly ask for this special favor:
(Mention your request here…)
Faithful servant of God, poor in the eyes of the world but rich in the treasures of heaven, pray that we may live lives of humility, trust, and holiness, seeking above all the Kingdom of God.
St. Benedict Joseph Labre, pray for us. Amen.
Pray One: Our Father…
Pray One: Hail Mary…
Pray One: Glory Be…
Day 4 – St. Benedict Joseph Labre Novena
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O glorious St. Benedict Joseph Labre, you gave up honor, wealth, and the comforts of home for the love of Jesus Christ. Help us to set our hearts on Him and not on the passing things of this world.
You lived in humility and obscurity among the poor and forgotten. Teach us to recognize the face of Christ in our brothers and sisters who are in need, and never to judge by outward appearances. Help us to remember that whatever we do for the least of our brethren, we do for Jesus Himself. Inspire us to love, serve, and befriend the poor with compassion and generosity.
St. Benedict Joseph Labre, you had a profound love for prayer. Obtain for us the grace of perseverance in prayer, especially in adoration of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Most Blessed Sacrament.
Through your powerful intercession, I humbly ask for this special favor:
(Mention your request here…)
Faithful servant of God, poor in the eyes of the world but rich in the treasures of heaven, pray that we may live lives of humility, trust, and holiness, seeking above all the Kingdom of God.
St. Benedict Joseph Labre, pray for us. Amen.
Pray One: Our Father…
Pray One: Hail Mary…
Pray One: Glory Be…
Day 5 – St. Benedict Joseph Labre Novena
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O glorious St. Benedict Joseph Labre, you gave up honor, wealth, and the comforts of home for the love of Jesus Christ. Help us to set our hearts on Him and not on the passing things of this world.
You lived in humility and obscurity among the poor and forgotten. Teach us to recognize the face of Christ in our brothers and sisters who are in need, and never to judge by outward appearances. Help us to remember that whatever we do for the least of our brethren, we do for Jesus Himself. Inspire us to love, serve, and befriend the poor with compassion and generosity.
St. Benedict Joseph Labre, you had a profound love for prayer. Obtain for us the grace of perseverance in prayer, especially in adoration of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Most Blessed Sacrament.
Through your powerful intercession, I humbly ask for this special favor:
(Mention your request here…)
Faithful servant of God, poor in the eyes of the world but rich in the treasures of heaven, pray that we may live lives of humility, trust, and holiness, seeking above all the Kingdom of God.
St. Benedict Joseph Labre, pray for us. Amen.
Pray One: Our Father…
Pray One: Hail Mary…
Pray One: Glory Be…
Day 6 – St. Benedict Joseph Labre Novena
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O glorious St. Benedict Joseph Labre, you gave up honor, wealth, and the comforts of home for the love of Jesus Christ. Help us to set our hearts on Him and not on the passing things of this world.
You lived in humility and obscurity among the poor and forgotten. Teach us to recognize the face of Christ in our brothers and sisters who are in need, and never to judge by outward appearances. Help us to remember that whatever we do for the least of our brethren, we do for Jesus Himself. Inspire us to love, serve, and befriend the poor with compassion and generosity.
St. Benedict Joseph Labre, you had a profound love for prayer. Obtain for us the grace of perseverance in prayer, especially in adoration of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Most Blessed Sacrament.
Through your powerful intercession, I humbly ask for this special favor:
(Mention your request here…)
Faithful servant of God, poor in the eyes of the world but rich in the treasures of heaven, pray that we may live lives of humility, trust, and holiness, seeking above all the Kingdom of God.
St. Benedict Joseph Labre, pray for us. Amen.
Pray One: Our Father…
Pray One: Hail Mary…
Pray One: Glory Be…
Day 7 – St. Benedict Joseph Labre Novena
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O glorious St. Benedict Joseph Labre, you gave up honor, wealth, and the comforts of home for the love of Jesus Christ. Help us to set our hearts on Him and not on the passing things of this world.
You lived in humility and obscurity among the poor and forgotten. Teach us to recognize the face of Christ in our brothers and sisters who are in need, and never to judge by outward appearances. Help us to remember that whatever we do for the least of our brethren, we do for Jesus Himself. Inspire us to love, serve, and befriend the poor with compassion and generosity.
St. Benedict Joseph Labre, you had a profound love for prayer. Obtain for us the grace of perseverance in prayer, especially in adoration of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Most Blessed Sacrament.
Through your powerful intercession, I humbly ask for this special favor:
(Mention your request here…)
Faithful servant of God, poor in the eyes of the world but rich in the treasures of heaven, pray that we may live lives of humility, trust, and holiness, seeking above all the Kingdom of God.
St. Benedict Joseph Labre, pray for us. Amen.
Pray One: Our Father…
Pray One: Hail Mary…
Pray One: Glory Be…
Day 8 – St. Benedict Joseph Labre Novena
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O glorious St. Benedict Joseph Labre, you gave up honor, wealth, and the comforts of home for the love of Jesus Christ. Help us to set our hearts on Him and not on the passing things of this world.
You lived in humility and obscurity among the poor and forgotten. Teach us to recognize the face of Christ in our brothers and sisters who are in need, and never to judge by outward appearances. Help us to remember that whatever we do for the least of our brethren, we do for Jesus Himself. Inspire us to love, serve, and befriend the poor with compassion and generosity.
St. Benedict Joseph Labre, you had a profound love for prayer. Obtain for us the grace of perseverance in prayer, especially in adoration of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Most Blessed Sacrament.
Through your powerful intercession, I humbly ask for this special favor:
(Mention your request here…)
Faithful servant of God, poor in the eyes of the world but rich in the treasures of heaven, pray that we may live lives of humility, trust, and holiness, seeking above all the Kingdom of God.
St. Benedict Joseph Labre, pray for us. Amen.
Pray One: Our Father…
Pray One: Hail Mary…
Pray One: Glory Be…
Day 9 – St. Benedict Joseph Labre Novena
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O glorious St. Benedict Joseph Labre, you gave up honor, wealth, and the comforts of home for the love of Jesus Christ. Help us to set our hearts on Him and not on the passing things of this world.
You lived in humility and obscurity among the poor and forgotten. Teach us to recognize the face of Christ in our brothers and sisters who are in need, and never to judge by outward appearances. Help us to remember that whatever we do for the least of our brethren, we do for Jesus Himself. Inspire us to love, serve, and befriend the poor with compassion and generosity.
St. Benedict Joseph Labre, you had a profound love for prayer. Obtain for us the grace of perseverance in prayer, especially in adoration of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Most Blessed Sacrament.
Through your powerful intercession, I humbly ask for this special favor:
(Mention your request here…)
Faithful servant of God, poor in the eyes of the world but rich in the treasures of heaven, pray that we may live lives of humility, trust, and holiness, seeking above all the Kingdom of God.
St. Benedict Joseph Labre, pray for us. Amen.
Pray One: Our Father…
Pray One: Hail Mary…
Pray One: Glory Be…
Leave us your prayers…