Labre, Benedict Joseph, Saint
Labre, Benedict Joseph, Saint
(1748 -1783 ) Confessor, pilgrim. Born Amettes, France ; died Rome, Italy . After unsuccessful attempts, because of his youth and poor health, to obtain the religious habit in the Trappist , Cistercian , and Carthusian orders, he devoted his remaining 13 years to traveling over Europe, visiting famous shrines, and leading a life of great mortification. Worn out by austerities, he collapsed outside a church in Rome, and died shortly after. He was known as the “Saint of the Forty Hours Devotion ,” following this devotion wherever he could. His death was followed by a multitude of miracles. Canonized ; 1881 . Relics in Santa Maria dei Monti, Rome. Feast , 16 April .