Saint Charbel was a Maronite monk and priest who lived in Lebanon. The community in Lebanon remembers the holy man for his miraculous healings. Fr Charbel (Saint Charbel) - in his latter years a holy hermit - went to Almighty God from this life on 24th December 1898.
St Charbel was buried outside the monastery in a grave adjacent to the church wall. In the records of the Monastery of St Maroun in Annaya, Fr (Saint) Charbel's superior wrote that because of what Charbel would accomplish after his death, he had no need to write about his life but was satisfied with stating that Charbel had kept his vows like an angel and not like a human.
Starting from the time of his burial, St Charbel's tomb emanated a bright light. As a result, the tomb was opened on April 15th 1899, four months after St Charbel's death. The saint's body was found to be intact with no signs of change, a miraculous sign.
In 1950, St Charbel's tomb at the Maronite monks' monastery high on a mountain in Lebanon was opened yet again, because a light had frequently been seen in the vicinity. To the astonishment of all the body of the priest who had been buried there for fifty-two years was as though he had been merely asleep that half a century. Even his clothing was intact.
Why this Wonder?
People began to pray to St Charbel to ask his intercession with God on their behalf. The monastery began to keep records of miracles performed through the intercession of Fr Charbel from 1950 onwards. There are over 26,000 miracles attributed to the intercession of St Charbel Makhlouf since 1898.
Saint Pope Paul VI beatified Charbel
At the closing of the Second Vatican Council, on December 5, 1965, St Charbel was beatified by Saint Pope Paul VI, who said:
"Great is the gladness in heaven and earth today for the beatification of Charbel Makhlouf, monk and hermit of the Lebanese Maronite Order. Great is the joy of the East and West for this son of Lebanon, admirable flower of sanctity blooming on the stem of the ancient monastic traditions of the East, and venerated today by the Church of Rome ... the holy monk of Annaya is presented as one who reminds us of the indispensable roles of prayer, hidden virtues and penance ... A hermit from the Lebanese mountain is enrolled among the blessed ... a new, eminent member of monastic sanctity is enriching the entire Christian people by his example and his intercession ... In a world largely fascinated with riches and comfort, he helps us understand the paramount value of poverty, penance, and ascetism to liberate the soul in its ascent to God ..." [1]
Canonisation
St Charbel was canonised in 1977 by Saint Pope Paul VI. At the time, Bishop Francis Zayek wrote, "St Sharbel is called the second St Anthony of the Desert, the Perfume of Lebanon, the first Confessor of the East to be raised to the Altars according to the actual procedures of the Catholic Church, the honor of our Aramaic Antiochian Church, and the model of spiritual values and renewal. Sharbel is like a Cedar of Lebanon standing in eternal prayer, on top of a mountain." [2]
Pilgrimage
St Charbel's tomb has been a site for millions of pilgrimages ever since his burial.
Preparation for Holy Mass
St Charbel used to spend half a day preparing to celebrate Mass, and half a day in thanksgiving. During the Holy Mass he offered the Eucharist to the Holy Trinity for the conversion of sinners.
History of Saint Charbel
History of St Charbel can be accessed at http://saintcharbel.net.au/history/
Some healings which are attributed to St Charbel
Some healings which are attributed to St Charbel can be accessed at https://epicpew.com/6-incredible-miracles-saint-charbel/
Prayer to Saint Charbel
Saint Sharbel, vessel of sweet perfume, pray for me. O merciful God, who honored Saint Sharbel through the working of great miracles, have mercy on me and grant me what I ask through his intercession. To You be glory forever, Amen.
Rosary
One of St Charbel's spiritual practices we can imitate is prayer of the Holy Rosary.
[1] Saint Charbel http://saintcharbel.net.au/history/
[2] Charbel Makhlouf
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charbel_Makhlouf
THE ROSARY
Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done, on earth as It is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary, pray for us now, and at the hour of our death. Amen.
