St Sharbel Makhlouf
When Joseph Zaroun Makhlouf was young he was raised by his uncle because his father, who was a mule driver, had died when Joseph was only three. When he was around the age of 23, Joseph decided to join the Monastery of St. Maron which was located in Annaya, Lebanon, and he took the name Sharbel in honor of a second-century martyr. He professed his final vows during the year 1853, and he was ordained six years later.
St. Sharbel who had lived like St. Maron, decided to live as a hermit from the year 1875, until his death. His reputation for holiness had prompted many people to seek him to receive a blessing and to be remembered in his prayers. St. Sharbel had followed a very strict fast and was very devoted to the Blessed Sacrament. When St. Sharbel’s superiors occasionally asked him to administer the sacraments to nearby villages, St. Sharbel decided to do so gladly.
St. Sharbel had died in the late afternoon during Christmas Eve. Christians and non-Christians soon made his tomb a very beautiful place of pilgrimage and of cures. Pope Paul VI had beatified St. Sharbel during the year 1965, and canonized him 12 years later.
Prayer to St. Sharbel
St. Sharbel intercede that we may be able to do the will of the Lord even during difficult and painful situations. Help us to pray for others and help others find Christ.
Amen
St. Sharbel pray for us
St. Joseph pray for us
May we continue to strengthen our journey to sainthood and keep others in our prayers.
Works cited:
Information (read from, not taken):
Franciscan media. “Saint Sharbel Makhlouf. ”Saint Sharbel Makhlouf | Franciscan Media. Accessed July 24, 2021.
Images:
Saint Sharbel Makhlouf. July 24, 2021. Saint Sharbel Makhlouf - Google Search.