Sharbel Makhlouf
Monk and Hermit
The Lebanese Maronite Order of monks is the embodiment of the ancient eastern monasticism, which since early Christian times existed and thrived within widely dispersed, independent monasteries. In 1695, Lebanese Maronite monasticism was united under one order by the monk, 'Abdallah al-Qaraali, and his fellows (Khalife 1995: 1). During Saint Sharbel's time, the Lebanese Maronite Order had over 1,000 monks out of a total Maronite population of about 300,000.
At Mass on November 1, 1853 and in the presence of the superior, the novice master and the monks of the monastery, Sharbel took the monastic vows. "I, Brother Sharbel, promise God Almighty, in the presence of my Most Reverend Father General, to commit myself to obedience, chastity and voluntary poverty until death, according to our Rule and Order." (Saint Sharbel Makhlouf 1989: 28)
After pronouncing his vows, his hair was cut to show his dedication. He was then dressed in the black monastic habit, the angelic cowl [hood], the belt of the Order, the tassel and the habit (Matar 1998). Each of these has its own special meaning and is an important symbol in the novitiate's transition to monkhood.
After being vested, Sharbel carried a cross in his left hand in response to Christ's call to "take up your cross and follow me" (Mt 10:38) and a candle in his right hand to symbolize Christ, "the light of the world" (Mt 5:14). He was then led in a procession to the church to show the community's joy that it had a new member. (Matar 1998)
Sharbel was ordained a priest at the Maronite Patriarchate in Bkerke in 1859. (Daher 1993: 77) His monastery was under the jurisdiction of the Patriarchal Vicar who resided in Bkerke at the time. After his ordination, Father Sharbel returned to the Monastery of St. Maron. During his 19 years there, Sharbel performed his priestly ministry and monastic duties in an edifying way. He dedicated himself totally to Christ to live, work and pray in silence. Sharbel had said to his superior, "If you judge me worthy, give me the heaviest and most humiliating work." (Saint Sharbel Makhlouf 1989: 31)
At the hermitage, Saint Sharbel's companions were the Son of God, as encountered in the Scriptures and in the Eucharist, and the Blessed Mother. The Eucharist became the center of his life. Though this hermit did not have a place in the world, the world had a great place in his heart. Through prayer and penance he offered himself as a sacrifice so that the world would return to God. (Benedict 1990: 10-11)
It was in this secluded sanctuary that the monk Sharbel spent the remaining twenty-three years of his life practicing severe mortification. It is recorded by his companions that he wore a hair shirt, practiced corporal punishment, chained himself, slept on the hard ground and ate only one meal a day – the leftovers from his companions' meals. (Hayek 19526: 81-83; St. Charbel Makhlouf 1989: 41, 56-58; Sfeir 1996: 90-91)
His pillow was a piece of wood covered with an old cloth, a remnant from an old habit. His bed was made of goat hair and laid directly on the floor. Although a hermit, he was not exempt from the supervision and orders of his superiors. He was to follow strict religious practices and carry out a severe ascetic way of life. His day would start with adoration of the Eucharist, prayers and celebration of the Holy Mystery, followed by manual labor, fasting, penance, continuous prayer, little sleep, and mortification of the body…all of which Sharbel practiced with utmost humility and love. (Hayek 1956: 81-83, 107; St. Charbel Makhlouf 1989: 41, 56-58; Sfeir 1996: 90-91) FULL STORY
Father of Truth
(The Last Prayer of Saint Charbel before he died)
Father of truth,
Here is your Son,
The sacrifice in which you are well pleased.
Accept him for he died for me.
So through him I shall be pardoned.
Here is the offering.
Take it from my hands
And so I shall be reconciled with you.
Remember not the sins that I have committed
In front of your Majesty.
Here is the blood which flowered on Golgotha
For my salvation and prays for me.
Out of consideration for this,
Accept my supplication.
I have committed many sins
But your mercy is great.
If you put them in the balance,
Your goodness will have more weight
Than the most mighty mountains.
Look not upon my sins,
But rather on what is offered for them,
For the offering and the sacrifice
Are even greater than the offences.
Because I have sinned,
Your beloved bore the nails and the spear.
His sufferings are enough to satisfy you.
By them I shall live.
Glory be to the Father who sent His Son for us.
Adoration be to the Son who has freed us and ensured our salvation.
Blessed be he who by his love has given life to all.
To him be the glory.
from the Maronite Liturgy.