Saint Charbel was born in a small village high in the mountains of Lebanon. As a child he herded his family's sheep. In 1851, he left his village and became a Maronite monk.
After ordination, he led an ascetical life for a number of
years at St. Maron Monastery in Annaya, near Beirut. In 1875, he was allowed to leave the monastery, to live as a hermit. After 23 years in solitude, he died of a stroke on Christmas Eve in 1898.
While his earthly life was shrouded in silence, since his death he has become known as a great healer, and his fame
reaches far beyond Lebanon and the Maronite Rite. He has a feast day in the universal calendar of the Roman Church, and his icons and statues are in churches and private homes all over the world.
After ordination, he led an ascetical life for a number of
years at St. Maron Monastery in Annaya, near Beirut. In 1875, he was allowed to leave the monastery, to live as a hermit. After 23 years in solitude, he died of a stroke on Christmas Eve in 1898.
While his earthly life was shrouded in silence, since his death he has become known as a great healer, and his fame
reaches far beyond Lebanon and the Maronite Rite. He has a feast day in the universal calendar of the Roman Church, and his icons and statues are in churches and private homes all over the world.
RSS Feed
