Saint Charbel - The Wonder-Worker of Lebanon
The Wonder-Worker of Lebanon
High in the mountains of Lebanon, a hermit lived in silence and prayer, far from the noise of the world. His name was Saint Charbel (1828–1898), a Maronite monk and priest who became one of the most beloved saints of the Eastern Catholic Church.
Known for his strict asceticism, unwavering devotion to the Eucharist, and countless miracles of healing, Saint Charbel has become a symbol of holiness not only for Lebanon and the Maronite Church but also for Catholics and Orthodox Christians worldwide.
For the faithful, a Saint Charbel prayer card serves as more than a devotional keepsake—it is a reminder of God’s power working through His saints, a tangible way to ask for intercession, and a window into the rich spiritual tradition of the East.
Who is Saint Charbel?
Saint Charbel Makhlouf (born Youssef Antoun Makhlouf) was a Maronite Catholic hermit from Bekaa Kafra, Lebanon. He belonged to the Maronite Church, an Eastern Catholic Church of the Antiochene tradition, which is in full communion with Rome but retains its unique liturgy, spirituality, and customs.
Charbel entered monastic life at the Monastery of St. Maron in Annaya and later withdrew into a hermitage, dedicating himself entirely to prayer, fasting, and silence. Like the desert fathers before him, Charbel sought to lose himself in God, becoming a vessel of divine grace.
Early Life: The Seeds of Holiness
Birth: May 8, 1828, in Bekaa Kafra, the highest village in Lebanon, surrounded by the snow-capped Cedars of God.
Family: He was the fifth child in a poor but devout Maronite family. His father died when he was only three, and his mother later remarried a man who became a local parish priest.
Childhood Piety: From an early age, Youssef was drawn to prayer. He would spend hours in the mountains tending sheep, carving crosses into rocks, and creating small shrines where he prayed before icons of the Virgin Mary and Christ.
These childhood habits foreshadowed the intense spiritual life that would define him as Saint Charbel.
Monastic Vocation: From the World to the Desert
At the age of 23, Youssef left his family secretly to join the monastery at Our Lady of Mayfouq. Later, he transferred to the Monastery of St. Maron in Annaya, where he took the name Charbel, after a second-century Christian martyr from Antioch.
Ordination: In 1859, after years of study and prayer, he was ordained a priest in the Maronite tradition.
Hermitage: In 1875, after 16 years in the monastery, he was granted permission to live as a hermit in the rugged hermitage of Saints Peter and Paul, where he remained for the last 23 years of his life.
There, he lived in complete silence, fasting, and prayer, leaving only for daily Mass. The Eucharist was the center of his existence. Witnesses recall how he spent hours in adoration, often entering a state of mystical ecstasy.
Miracles During His Life
Though Charbel lived in solitude, stories of his holiness spread. Many testified to miracles:
Healing the Sick: Villagers would ask for his prayers, and cures were reported.
Prophecy: He was known to foresee events and read hearts.
Supernatural Light: Fellow monks testified that his hermitage often glowed with an unearthly light during his night vigils.
Death and Incorruptibility
Saint Charbel died on December 24, 1898, after suffering a stroke while celebrating the Divine Liturgy. He whispered the words of the Eucharistic prayer until his final breath.
After his burial, strange events occurred:
A mysterious light shone from his tomb for weeks, leading villagers and pilgrims to flock to Annaya.
When his body was exhumed in 1899, it was found incorrupt, exuding a blood-like liquid. This continued for decades, baffling doctors and scientists.
Even after his body was later placed in a coffin, pilgrims testified to healings when touching his tomb.
Posthumous Miracles
Saint Charbel’s reputation as a miracle worker exploded after his death. Tens of thousands of healings—both physical and spiritual—have been attributed to his intercession.
Some famous cases include:
1936 – Sister Mary Abel Kamari: Cured of paralysis after praying at his tomb.
1950 – Dr. Farid Serhal: A medical doctor received a miraculous healing, leading him to become a devoted promoter of Charbel.
Modern Miracles: Many testimonies involve healing from cancer, restoration of sight, and conversion of hardened hearts.
Today, the shrine at Annaya receives thousands of pilgrims each year, from Christians and Muslims alike, who come to ask for Saint Charbel’s intercession.
Feast Day and Liturgical Celebration
Maronite Catholic Church: Celebrates his feast on July 24.
Roman Catholic Church: Honors him on July 24 as well, since his canonization.
His feast is marked by solemn liturgies, processions, and prayers for healing, especially in Lebanon and among the Maronite diaspora worldwide.
Patronage of Saint Charbel
Saint Charbel is considered a patron for:
Healing of illnesses, especially incurable diseases.
Strength in faith during times of trial.
Lebanon and the Maronite Church.
Unity between East and West, as he is venerated by Catholics and Orthodox alike.
Devotion in the Eastern Church
The Maronite Church holds Saint Charbel in the highest regard, placing him alongside other great Maronite saints such as St. Maron and St. Rafka.
Shrine at Annaya: Pilgrims visit his tomb, leaving notes, candles, and prayers.
Icons and Prayer Cards: His image, with his humble black cowl and glowing halo, is found in homes worldwide.
Liturgical Hymns: The Syriac Maronite liturgy includes hymns invoking his intercession, especially on his feast.
For many, a Saint Charbel prayer card becomes a constant companion—slipped into wallets, Bibles, or hung in homes as a reminder of God’s healing grace through his saints.
Modern Relevance
Why does Saint Charbel matter today?
A Global Saint: From Lebanon to Brazil, Mexico, and the United States, devotion to him has spread across cultures and continents.
A Saint for Healing: In an age of uncertainty and illness, his reputation as a healer draws people of all faiths.
Bridge of Unity: Muslims, Orthodox, and Catholics alike venerate him, showing that holiness transcends divisions.
Featured Products
Honor Saint Charbel with devotional items that keep his memory close:
Saint Charbel Prayer Cards – Handmade in the Eastern tradition, available for personal devotion or parish use.
Icons and Rosaries – Crafted to inspire prayer and reflection.
Custom Parish Prayer Cards – Perfect for feast day celebrations, available in bulk.
👉 “Honor Saint Charbel with a beautifully designed prayer card, available now in our shop.”
Conclusion: The Eternal Witness of Saint Charbel
From the silence of his Lebanese hermitage, Saint Charbel continues to speak to the world. His incorrupt body, miracles, and intercession are testimonies that God is still present, still healing, and still calling His people to holiness.
Carrying a Saint Charbel prayer card is not just an act of devotion—it is a way to walk with a saint who lived completely for Christ, reminding us that holiness is possible even in the modern age.
“Through Saint Charbel, God has given Lebanon—and the whole world—a beacon of faith, hope, and healing.”
FAQ – Saint Charbel
Who was Saint Charbel?
A Maronite Catholic monk and hermit from Lebanon (1828–1898), known for his asceticism, miracles, and incorrupt body.
When is Saint Charbel’s feast day?
July 24, celebrated in both the Maronite Catholic and Roman Catholic calendars.
What miracles are attributed to Saint Charbel?
Thousands of healings of cancer, blindness, paralysis, and spiritual conversions, both during his life and after his death.
Why do people carry a Saint Charbel prayer card?
To seek his intercession for healing, protection, and faith, and to stay connected to the rich Maronite Catholic tradition.
