5 Fascinating Facts About Saint Charbel Makhlouf, the Miraculous Healing Saint
Lebanese Saint Charbel Makholof is a very powerful saintly intercessor, especially on behalf of the ill or infirm.
Here are five fascinating facts about Saint Charbel Makholof, the miraculous healing saint:
1) Saint Charbel became a monk at 23, a priest at 31, then a hermit at 46.
Saint Charbel was born Yousef Antoun Makhlouf in 1828 in the mountains of Northern Lebanon. He was raised in a devout Christian family and was one of five children.
He wanted to become a monk from a young age. He helped his family tend to a small flock, and often took the flock to a grotto to pray before the Blessed Virgin Mary.
This grotto became “his first hermitage and altar of worship.”
When he became a monk of the Lebanese Maronite Order at 23, he took the name “Charbel.” He completely devoted his life to Christ “with an undivided heart.”
2) No one saw Saint Charbel's face while he was alive.
According to the book, "Three Lights From the East" by Father Mansour Awad, “People never saw his face when he was alive. He always kept his head down in church, at work, or when walking, always looking to the ground.
“He would lift his eyes only to heaven. When in church, he always faced the altar with his eyes fixed on the tabernacle. However, when he died and was lying face upward, his eyes were closed, still not looking at anyone, exactly as in his lifetime.”
Saint Charbel was extremely devoted to the Eucharist. He suffered a stroke while reciting this prayer on Dec. 16, 1898:
“Father of Truth, behold Your Son a sacrifice pleasing to You, accept the offering of Him who died for me…”
3) After Saint Charbel's death, a fellow monk “saw a light…circling Father Charbel’s body.”
Saint Charbel died on Christmas Eve in 1898 before the presence of the Eucharist.
While one of the monks visited the tabernacle at midnight following his death, he saw a light surrounding the tabernacle and Saint Charbel’s body...after his body was already transported for burial!
Father Mansour Awad wrote in "Three Lights From the East" that “the body of Father Charbel was in front of the altar."
“The monk saw a light bursting from the door of the tabernacle, circling the body of Father Charbel, easing up to the chandelier above the coffin and back to the tabernacle.”
4) Light illuminated from Saint Charbel's tomb.
Many people, including Christians and Muslims, reported light illuminating from Saint Charbel’s tomb after his death. His body was exhumed multiple times. Church authorities found him completely incorrupt.
A few months after his death, authorities found that “further examination showed that his body transpired blood and water like any living organism.”
Father Peter Mishmshany, a priest of the Saint Maron monastery who visited Father Charbel while he was ill, and participated in his burial said, “When a light was seen rising over the tomb, witnessed by many people, then the tomb was opened and the body was found to be sound, perfect, incorrupt.”
Father Charbel’s body reportedly remained intact for more than 40 years after his death.
5) Many healing miracles are attributed to Saint Charbel's powerful intercession.
Saint Charbel is most well-known for his powerful intercession for the sick. Many miracles have occurred through him.
For example, in 1936, Sister Mary Abel Kamary of the Two Sacred Hearts Nuns suffered from a serious internal condition.
Her pancreas, gallbladder, and kidney were stuck together, causing uncontrolled vomiting and paralyzation of her right arm. She underwent multiple unsuccessful surgeries.
She endured this intense suffering for 14 years. She vomited everything she ate, her teeth decayed, and she walked with a cane.
After hearing of Saint Charbel’s intercession, she asked for his help. He then blessed her in a dream, and she later visited Father Charbel’s grave in Lebanon.
“No sooner had she touched the grave tile than she felt a current in her back.
“While she was praying near the coffin, the name of Saint Charbel appeared carved on the tile, wreathed with drops of glistening sweat. She wiped it with her scarf and then rubbed it on the afflicted area. Thus she got up and walked, which raised the shouts of joy for her recovery.”
Other alleged healings through Saint Charbel’s intercession include healings from cancer, stroke, cysts, and the healing of a premature baby.
Click here to learn more about Saint Charbel’s incredible miracles!