6th Week Of Lent- Reflection on St. Benedict Joseph Labre
"The Hoy Wayfarer" 2024 Newsletter is now complete and ready for release on Easter 2024
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Guild of Grace, Labor of Love for the Mentally Ill
The Guild was borne of Our Blessed Virgin Mother’s embrace of those who suffer from mental illness, and as expressed in the life of St. Benedict Joseph Labre, of whom Father Benedict Groeschel once remarked to the late Mildred Duff (Co-Founder of the Guild of St. Benedict Joseph Labre): “Don’t ask me to pray for your son Scott. You pray to St. Benedict Joseph Labre, he is Blessed Mother’s little schizophrenic hobo.” That started her personal spiritual journey that would eventually lead to founding this apostolate with her son Timothy. In a special way-though there are other Saints who especially intercede for those in the throes of emotional turmoil, psychologically or psychiatrically, St. Benedict Joseph Labre is singularly the patron Saint of the mentally ill in the latter days for several reasons.
His was a pronounced, distinctively eccentric presence of his times, much like many of the severely disturbed in our modern, chaotic world. Homelessness is at an all time high as is severe cognitive discord. Persons are in misery, baffled by their own personhood, disordered in the intellect, imprisoned by passion, and blinded in conscience. The Saint's tattered clothes are still hanging in the relic case on the wall in the small chapel near the Church where he is buried in Rome. (pictured on pg.3)
St. Benedict Joseph, in his day and for us now, shows the way to seek the spiritual and psychological help necessary to not only accept the struggles associated with mental illness but to also elevate the soul above the physical psychosis that threatens to turn persons against themselves in rage and self destruction. Through prayers, genuine compassion, and authentic community, persons with mental illness can find freedom from the chains of depression, mood swings, and dissociative conditions that lead to self loathing and often death and accept their suffering, along with wise assistance of others.
Reflection from a pastor
There is no condition of life which the grace of God has not sanctified; this social misfit finally found his niche in heaven by not having one on earth. Let us learn from the life of SBJL to remember that we are always in the presence of God, & particularly so when we are in church; for Jesus is really, truly, and substantially present in the Most Bless Sacrament of the Altar.- 02.26.2004 AMDG, St. Benedict Joseph Labre (Mission Church) N. Hero, VT “And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” (MT 28:20)
"The Hoy Wayfarer" 2024 Newsletter is now complete and ready for release on Easter 2024
come read it next week