St Charbel: The Hermit of Lebanon

St. Charbel's Parish, Sydney Australia ^ | n/a | unknown

[Salvation]

Saint Charbel Makhlouf

Also known as

Joseph Zaroun Makhlouf

Memorial

24 December

Profile

Son of a mule driver. Raised by an uncle who opposed the boy's youthful piety. The boy's favorite book was Thomas a Kempis's The Imitation of Christ. At age 23 he snuck away to join the Baladite monastery of Saint Maron at Annaya where he took the name Charbel in memory of a 2nd century martyr. Professed his solemn vows in 1853. Ordained in 1859, becoming a heiromonk.

He lived as a model monk, but dreamed of living like the ancient desert fathers. Hermit from 1875 until his death 23 years later, living on the bare minimums of everything. Gained a reputation for holiness, and was much sought for counsel and blessing. He had a great personal devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, and was known to levitate during his prayers. Briefly paralyzed for unknown reasons just before his death.

Several post-mortem miracles attributed him, including periods in 1927 and 1950 when a bloody "sweat" flowed from his corpse. His tomb has become a place of pilgrimage for Lebanese and non-Lebanese, Christian and non-Christian alike.

Born

8 May 1828 at Beka-Kafra, Lebanon as Joseph Zaroun Makhlouf

Died

24 December 1898 at Annaya of natural causes

Beatified

1965 by Pope Paul VI

Canonized

9 October 1977 by Pope Paul VI

Images

Gallery of images of Saint Charbel [2 images, 30 kb]

Additional Information

Man of Miracles popup ads
Hermit of Lebanon,
Missa.Org francais