Whispers of miracles echo around Charbel Barbour. Who was Saint Charbel? He was born Youssef Antoun Makhlouf in 1828. The Miracle Monk of Lebanon unites Christians, Muslims and Druze.
Charbel Makhlouf grew up in Bekaa Kafra. This mountain village is the highest in Lebanon. His father Antoun was a mule driver. Antoun died when Youssef was just three. Brigitta, Youssef’s mother, remarried a priest.
Youssef felt drawn to the lives of saints. He admired the hermits. He cared for the family’s cows as a boy. Youssef would pray in a grotto with an icon of Mary.
In 1851, Youssef became a monk. He trained at the Monastery of Our Lady in Mayfouq. He then moved to the Monastery of Saint Maron in Annaya near Beirut. There he took the name Charbel after a 2nd-century martyr.
Charbel studied philosophy and theology. Nimatullah Kassab, later a saint, taught him. Charbel was ordained a priest in 1859. He returned to Saint Maron Monastery. He embraced a life of strict asceticism.
In 1875, Charbel became a hermit. He lived at the Hermitage of Saints Peter and Paul. This chapel was under the monastery’s care. For 23 years, he lived alone. Charbel died on December 24 1898 after a stroke.
Charbel was buried at Saint Maron Monastery on Christmas Day. Legend says the weather turned fair during his funeral procession. A bright light was seen around his tomb months later. His body was found intact. A blood-like liquid flowed from it. Experts could not explain it.
His body remained flexible. His grave was opened several times. In 1976, his body was completely decomposed. Only the skeleton remained.
Saint Charbel’s relics were moved to Saint Elisabeth Cathedral in Slovakia in 2017. Pilgrims visit from across Europe.
The Church opened Charbel’s beatification cause in 1929. He was declared a Servant of God. Pope Paul VI beatified him in 1965. The Pope canonized him in 1977. Bishop Francis Zayek called him the second St Anthony of the Desert.
Saint Charbel serves as a role model. Many Maronite Catholics admire his piety. Catholics from all churches venerate him. Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City has a shrine dedicated to Makhlouf.
Saint Charbel’s feast days include the third Sunday in July and July 24. Miracles are attributed to Charbel. These include healings. The healing of Nohad El Shami is particularly famous. She recovered from partial paralysis. She dreamt of Saint Charbel. He performed surgery on her neck.
Raymond Nader had a mystical experience at the hermitage. He saw a bright light. He found the imprint of five fingers on his arm. A doctor believed it was a third-degree burn.
Charbel’s life inspires many. People seek his intercession. His story is a testament to faith and miracles. He is a symbol of hope for Lebanon. Cardinal Raï entrusted Lebanon to Saint Charbel. He asked for salvation from ruin. Saint Charbel is a beacon of light.