Saint Joseph Maronite Catholic Church

The simple life of a Maronite Catholic monk left such an impact on the lives of so many Christians, including multiple miracles after his death, that Pope Paul VI canonized St. Sharble Makhlouf in 1977, celebrating and recognizing the richness of Eastern monasticism. 

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St. Sharbel was born Yussef Antoun Makhlouf in Lebanon in 1828. His upbringing was quiet and devout but his father Antoun, died when Charbel was only three years old. Charbel spent much of his childhood and adolescence studying at his local parish school and working on the family farm. 

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As a young man, he joined the Monastery of Our Lady in Mayfouq, of the Maronite Catholic Church, despite his mother wanting him to be married and stay close to home. But the Lord had plans for Charbel, who chose his name in honor of the second century martyr, St. Charbel of Edessa. After six years of studying, he was ordained on July 23, 1859.

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St. Sharbel took his vows very seriously and was dedicated to silence, prayer, and manual work at the monastery. Then, in 1875, Sharbel was granted by his abbot to live as a hermit. After 23 years of living alone at the Hermitage of Saint Paul in the Qadisha Valley, St. Charbel died of a stroke on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, 1898. 

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Following his death, his body was found to be incorrupt on multiple occasions. In both 1950 and 1952, his remains were exhumed and were found to be intact, flexible, and was bleeding as if he was still alive. In 1976, the final time he was exhumed, his remains had decomposed.

 

Devotion to St. Sharbel increased in the mid-20th century with millions flocking to his tomb every year. Since his death, more than 33,000 miracle healings have been reported through his intercession.

 

St. Sharbel is the patron saint of Lebanon and the patron of many churches named after him. Most Maronite Church has a Shrine for this great saint. At Saint Joseph we have a Shrine and a garden for people to visit and pray. We also have oil and incense of Saint Sharbel for blessings and healings. We pray that through the intercession of Saint Sharbel all prayers are heard.

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Saint Sharbel pray for us.