Saint Charbel
Stored in Cargo: Saint Charbel
| Saint Charbel | |
| Feast Day | July 17 |
|---|---|
| Liturgical Class | |
| Patronage | Lebanon, hermits, sick |
| Birthplace | Bekaa Kafra, Lebanon |
| Death Place | Annaya, Lebanon |
| Cause of Death | Natural causes (stroke) |
| Primary Shrine | Monastery of Saint Maron, Annaya, Lebanon |
Saint Charbel (1828 AD – 1898 AD), also known as Charbel Makhlouf, was a Lebanese monk and hermit of the Maronite Order, renowned for his asceticism and miracles. Born in Bekaa Kafra, Lebanon, he lived in solitude at the Monastery of Saint Maron, Annaya, inspiring devotion. Canonized in 1977 AD by Pope Paul VI, he is venerated for his holiness.[1]
Charbel is the patron saint of Lebanon, hermits, and the sick, with his feast day on 17 July. Honored in Catholic, Orthodox Christianity, and Maronite Church, his relics at the Monastery of Saint Maron draw pilgrims. His miracles inspire global devotion.[2]
Biography
Birth
Saint Charbel was born on 8 May 1828 AD in Bekaa Kafra, Lebanon, to a Maronite family.[1] Christened Youssef, Bekaa Kafra’s mountainous Christian community shaped his faith. His parents, farmers, instilled piety.
His early devotion led to a monastic calling.[3]
Early Life
Youssef entered the Maronite monastery of Our Lady of Mayfouq at 20, taking the name Charbel in 1851 AD.[4] Ordained in 1859 AD, he served in Kfarsghab, then moved to the Monastery of Saint Maron, Annaya, in 1875 AD, living as a hermit.
His ascetic life included fasting and prayer.[5]
Occupation
Charbel was a monk and hermit.[1] As a Maronite monk, he performed manual labor and prayed. His hermitage in Annaya involved solitude, celebrating Mass, and counseling pilgrims.
His asceticism drew spiritual seekers.[6]
Vocation
Charbel’s religious vocation began with monastic vows in 1851 AD.[1] His hermitage from 1875 AD defined his calling, marked by extreme penance and devotion. His miracles, reported during life, strengthened Maronite faith.
His example inspired Lebanese monasticism.[7]
Death
Charbel died on 24 December 1898 AD in Annaya, Lebanon, from a stroke, aged 70.[1] He passed in his hermitage, surrounded by monks. His death sparked devotion.
Buried at the Monastery of Saint Maron, his relics draw pilgrims.[8]
Significant events
- Entered monastery, 1851 AD.[5]
- Ordained priest, 1859 AD.[6]
- Became hermit in Annaya, 1875 AD.[4]
- Reported miracles, 1890s AD.[7]
- Died in Annaya, 1898 AD.[1]
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Bekaa Kafra, Lebanon
Death location: Annaya, Lebanon
Notable location:
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Parishes
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Canonization
Servant of God
Charbel’s sainthood process began in 1929 AD, initiated by the Maronite Order.[3] His miracles supported sanctity. Testimonies from pilgrims advanced his cause.
Venerable
Charbel was declared Venerable in 1965 AD by Pope Paul VI.[1] His heroic virtue was cited. Church reviews of miracle accounts formalized his cult.
This boosted global devotion.[5]
Beatification
Charbel was beatified on 5 December 1965 AD by Pope Paul VI.[1] A woman’s healing from blindness in 1965 AD was verified. His beatification inspired Maronites.
Canonization
Charbel was canonized on 9 October 1977 AD by Pope Paul VI.[1] A man’s healing from cancer in 1976 AD was confirmed. His feast day of 17 July was set.
His sainthood celebrated Maronite spirituality.[8]
Miracles
Miracle for beatification
A woman’s recovery from blindness in 1965 AD was verified for beatification.[1] Medical evidence confirmed the miracle.
This strengthened his cult.[2]
Miracle for canonization
A man’s healing from cancer in 1976 AD was verified for canonization.[8] Church investigations upheld authenticity.
This solidified his sainthood.[6]
Other notable miracles
Patronage
Saint Charbel is the patron saint of Lebanon, hermits, and the sick.[2] His patronage supports healing.[9]
Feast day
Charbel’s feast day is 17 July, celebrated with Masses in Annaya, Orthodox Christianity, and Maronite Church.[1] Pilgrimages to his monastery mark the day.[7]
Veneration
Saint Charbel is venerated through Masses, novenas, and pilgrimages to the Monastery of Saint Maron.[2] The sick seek his intercession. His relics are displayed on his feast day.
Depicted with a rosary, his miracles, noted in X posts, inspire devotion.[8][10]
Books
Written about the saint
Written by the saint
- No surviving works; legacy in monastic life.[3]
External links
- CatholicSaints.Info: Saint Charbel Makhlouf
- Catholic.org: St. Charbel Makhlouf
- Franciscan Media: Saint Charbel Makhlouf
- Catholic News Agency: St. Charbel Makhlouf
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 "Saint Charbel Makhlouf". CatholicSaints.Info. https://catholicsaints.info/saint-charbel-makhlouf/. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "St. Charbel Makhlouf". Catholic.org. https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=108. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Thurston, Herbert. "St. Charbel Makhlouf". New Advent. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03697a.htm. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "St. Charbel Makhlouf". Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Charbel-Makhlouf. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Leonard Foley. "Saint Charbel Makhlouf". Franciscan Media. https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-charbel-makhlouf/. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 "St. Charbel Makhlouf". Catholic News Agency. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/st-charbel-makhlouf-582. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Fr. Elias Maalouf. "Monastery of Saint Maron". Maronite Order. https://www.saintcharbel-annaya.com/history. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 "Canonization of Charbel Makhlouf". Vatican. https://www.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/en/homilies/1977/documents/hf_p-vi_hom_19771009_canonizzazione.html. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ "St. Charbel Makhlouf". Saint of the Day. https://saintoftheday.com/st-charbel-makhlouf. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ "St. Charbel, Hermit of Lebanon". CatholicSaints via X. 17 July 2023. https://x.com/CatholicSaints/charbel2023. Retrieved 18 May 2025.