St. Charbel Makhlouf was a Lebanese Maronite monk known widely for his holiness and miraculous healings in answer to prayers at his tomb. He became a hermit for the last decades of his life, and his body remained incorrupt in his grave for many decades
St Charbel is known for healing and conversion and is one of the most prolific intercessors for incredible miracles.
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Saint Charbel Makhlouf, a Lebanese Maronite monk and priest, is revered as a model of holiness and a powerful intercessor both in life and death. Born Youssef Antoun Makhlouf in 1828 in the small village of Bekaa Kafra in Lebanon, he entered monastic life at the age of 23 and took the name Charbel in honor of a 2nd-century Christian martyr. Known for his profound piety, asceticism, and devotion, Saint Charbel spent much of his life in solitary prayer, seeking divine communion in the quiet of the hermitage at the Monastery of St. Maron.
Life Devoted to God
After his ordination in 1859, Saint Charbel lived in the Saint Maron Monastery for several years before retreating to the hermitage of Saints Peter and Paul, where he led a life marked by severe asceticism and deep contemplative prayer. His days were filled with manual labor, prayer, and the celebration of the Divine Liturgy. He followed the monastic routine meticulously and became known for his strict fasting and long hours spent in meditation.
Miraculous Healings
Saint Charbel is best known for the miracles attributed to him both during his life and posthumously, with the latter significantly bolstering his reputation for sainthood. Many of these miracles involve healing, which believers attribute to his intercession. Pilgrims from various religious backgrounds, including non-Christians, visit his tomb at the Monastery of Saint Maron in Annaya, Lebanon, seeking cures for physical ailments and other forms of divine intervention.
One of the most notable miracles occurred in 1993 when a Lebanese woman named Nohad El Shami was miraculously cured of partial paralysis after dreaming of Saint Charbel. In her dream, he visited her home and performed a surgery that healed her from her longstanding ailment. This incident was investigated and recognized by the Church as a bona fide miracle attributed to Saint Charbel’s intercession.
The Phenomenon of the Incorruptible Body
After his death on December 24, 1898, Saint Charbel's body was interred in a grave without embalming. Several months later, his tomb was opened, and his body was found to be incorrupt, secreting a blood-like liquid known as "perspiration" or "sweat." This phenomenon continued for decades, attracting thousands of pilgrims and leading to further reports of miracles. The body showed no signs of significant decay for a considerable period, which many believers view as a miraculous sign of his sanctity.
Canonization and Veneration
The miracles attributed to Saint Charbel and the incorruptibility of his body led to his beatification in 1965 and canonization by Pope Paul VI in 1977. Today, Saint Charbel is celebrated as a powerful intercessor and a beacon of Christian faith, particularly in the Maronite tradition. His feast day is observed on July 24, and he is especially venerated in Lebanon and among Lebanese diaspora communities worldwide.
Legacy and Spiritual Impact
Saint Charbel’s life of solitude and prayer continues to inspire many who seek a deeper relationship with God. His legacy is not just in the miraculous but also in his example of humility, dedication, and love for God, which transcend denominational boundaries. In a world bustling with noise and distractions, Saint Charbel's life stands as a testament to the power of silence, prayer, and devout living.
Saint Charbel’s miraculous works and devout life remind us that sanctity is accessible and that the divine often reveals itself in ways that transcend human understanding. His story is a beacon of hope and faith, illustrating the profound impact of a life dedicated entirely to God.