St. Benedict Joseph Labre, known as the patron saint of the homeless, is revered for his profound humility, deep faith, and his life of wandering in search of spiritual fulfillment.
About St. Benedict Joseph Labre
St. Benedict Joseph Labre was truly eccentric, one of God’s special little ones. Born in France and the eldest of 18 children, he studied under his uncle, a parish priest.
Because of poor health and a lack of suitable academic preparation he was unsuccessful in his attempts to enter the religious life. Then, at age 16, a profound change took place. Benedict lost his desire to study and gave up all thoughts of the priesthood, much to the consternation of his relatives.
He became a pilgrim, traveling from one great shrine to another, living off alms. He wore the rags of a beggar and shared his food with the poor. Filled with the love of God and neighbor, Benedict had special devotion to the Blessed Mother and to the Blessed Sacrament.
In Rome, where he lived in the Colosseum for a time, he was called “the poor man of the Forty Hours devotion” and “the beggar of Rome.” The people accepted his ragged appearance better than he did. His excuse to himself was that “our comfort is not in this world.”
On April 16, 1783, the last day of his life, Benedict dragged himself to a church in Rome and prayed there for two hours before he collapsed, dying peacefully in a nearby house. Immediately after his death, the people proclaimed him a saint.
St. Benedict Joseph Labre was canonized by Pope Leo XIII in 1881. His liturgical feast is celebrated on April 16.
Why Pray the St. Benedict Joseph Labre Novena?
Praying the St. Benedict Joseph Labre Novena is a heartfelt way to seek the intercession of a saint who embodies humility, compassion, and a deep connection to those in need.
This novena encourages individuals to reflect on the struggles of the homeless and marginalized, drawing inspiration from St. Benedict’s own experiences as a wanderer. By dedicating nine days to prayer, participants can present their personal intentions, particularly those related to social justice, compassion, and the needs of the less fortunate.
Additionally, invoking St. Benedict Joseph Labre fosters a spirit of empathy and service, reminding believers of the importance of reaching out to those who are suffering. Ultimately, the St. Benedict Joseph Labre Novena serves as a call to live out one’s faith through acts of kindness and to trust in God’s loving provision for all.
St. Benedict Joseph Labre Novena Prayers
Novena to St. Benedict Joseph Labre is a nine-day prayer experience designed to deepen your faith, strengthen your relationship with God, and seek the powerful intercession of St. Benedict Joseph Labre.
You can pray the St. Benedict Joseph Labre Novena for any intention!
St. Benedict Joseph Labre Novena Day 1
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
St. 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.
St. 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.
St. Benedict Joseph Labre, poor in the eyes of men but rich in
the eyes of God, pray for us. Amen.
(Mention your request here…)
Say 1: Our Father…Say 1: Hail Mary…Say 1: Glory Be…
St. Benedict Joseph Labre Novena Day 2
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
St. 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.
St. 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.
St. Benedict Joseph Labre, poor in the eyes of men but rich in
the eyes of God, pray for us. Amen.
(Mention your request here…)
Say 1: Our Father…Say 1: Hail Mary…Say 1: Glory Be…
St. Benedict Joseph Labre Novena Day 3
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
St. 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.
St. 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.
St. Benedict Joseph Labre, poor in the eyes of men but rich in
the eyes of God, pray for us. Amen.
(Mention your request here…)
Say 1: Our Father…Say 1: Hail Mary…Say 1: Glory Be…
St. Benedict Joseph Labre Novena Day 4
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
St. 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.
St. 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.
St. Benedict Joseph Labre, poor in the eyes of men but rich in
the eyes of God, pray for us. Amen.
(Mention your request here…)
Say 1: Our Father…Say 1: Hail Mary…Say 1: Glory Be…
St. Benedict Joseph Labre Novena Day 5
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
St. 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.
St. 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.
St. Benedict Joseph Labre, poor in the eyes of men but rich in
the eyes of God, pray for us. Amen.
(Mention your request here…)
Say 1: Our Father…Say 1: Hail Mary…Say 1: Glory Be…
St. Benedict Joseph Labre Novena Day 6
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
St. 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.
St. 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.
St. Benedict Joseph Labre, poor in the eyes of men but rich in
the eyes of God, pray for us. Amen.
(Mention your request here…)
Say 1: Our Father…Say 1: Hail Mary…Say 1: Glory Be…
St. Benedict Joseph Labre Novena Day 7
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
St. 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.
St. 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.
St. Benedict Joseph Labre, poor in the eyes of men but rich in
the eyes of God, pray for us. Amen.
(Mention your request here…)
Say 1: Our Father…Say 1: Hail Mary…Say 1: Glory Be…
St. Benedict Joseph Labre Novena Day 8
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
St. 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.
St. 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.
St. Benedict Joseph Labre, poor in the eyes of men but rich in
the eyes of God, pray for us. Amen.
(Mention your request here…)
Say 1: Our Father…Say 1: Hail Mary…Say 1: Glory Be…
St. Benedict Joseph Labre Novena Day 9
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
St. 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.
St. 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.
St. Benedict Joseph Labre, poor in the eyes of men but rich in
the eyes of God, pray for us. Amen.
(Mention your request here…)
Say 1: Our Father…Say 1: Hail Mary…Say 1: Glory Be…