Saint Rafqa: The "Little Flower" of Lebanon & Prayer for the Sick
The Saint Who Asked for Suffering
Most of us run from pain. St. Rafqa ran toward it.
Born Boutrossieh (Pierrette) Ar-Rayes in 1832, she is one of the most beloved saints of the Eastern Catholic Church. Her life was a mystery of love. At age 53, after years of serving as a nun, she prayed a dangerous prayer: "O Lord, why have you forgotten me? Why do you not visit me with sickness? Have I abandoned you?"
That night, she felt a severe pain in her eyes. It was the beginning of a 29-year passion. She went blind, then paralyzed, yet she never complained. When asked how she was, she would only say, "With the Passion of Christ."
She is the Patron Saint of the Sick, especially those with:
Chronic Pain
Eye Diseases / Blindness
Bone Cancer or Paralysis
Loss of Parents (she lost her mother at age 7)
Prayer for Healing Through St. Rafqa's Intercession
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O Lord Jesus Christ, our God and Lord, You impressed St. Rafqa’s life so much that she became a teacher, a worker, a praying nun, and Your partner in the Mystery of Redemption.
We ask You, through her intercession and prayers, to:
Bless the children,
Enlighten the young,
Transform people’s labor and sufferings into blessings,
Grant the graces of recovery, joy, and happiness to the sick,
And answer the prayers of those gathered in Your name.
Lord, as You graced Rafqa with the blessings of eternal life, allow us to live like her in faith, hope, and love, so that with her we may glorify and thank You, the Virgin Mary, and all the Saints, forever. Amen.
(Mention your specific request for healing here)
St. Rafqa, pray for us.
🌹 Keep Her Close in Your Suffering
If you or a loved one is in the hospital or suffering at home, place an image of St. Rafqa near the bedside. It serves as a constant reminder that pain is not meaningless—it can be united to the Cross of Christ.
Our St. Rafqa Prayer Cards are made with deep reverence in the USA.
Feature: Full-color image of the Blind Nun of Lebanon.
Back: The official prayer for her intercession.
Use: Perfect for tucking under a pillow, placing on a hospital table, or sharing with family.
👉 Get the St. Rafqa Healing Prayer Cards
A Miracle of St. Rafqa
Four days after her death in 1914, her superior, Mother Ursula, was suffering from a throat obstruction that doctors could not cure. She rubbed some earth from Rafqa's grave on her throat and was instantly healed. Since then, thousands have claimed healing through the "earth of Rafqa."
Feast Day: March 23rd.
