Catholic Saint of the Day Profile
Saint Charbel Makhlouf
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 stole 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
Venerated:
15 July 1965 by Pope Paul VI (decree of heroic virtues)
Beatified:
5 December 1965 by Pope Paul VI
Canonized:
9 October 1977 by Pope Paul VI
Blog post courtesy:
http://catholicsaints.info/saint-charbel-makhlouf
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 stole 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
Venerated:
15 July 1965 by Pope Paul VI (decree of heroic virtues)
Beatified:
5 December 1965 by Pope Paul VI
Canonized:
9 October 1977 by Pope Paul VI
Blog post courtesy:
http://catholicsaints.info/saint-charbel-makhlouf
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