Born high in the mountains of Lebanon in 1828, Charbel’s Baptismal name was Joussef Makhlouf. 

After his father died, Joussef was given the responsibility of tending to the small family flock. He built a memorial in those fields to The Blessed Mother and would take time to pray to her and to Jesus. 

In his twenties, he entered the Lebanese Maronite order and took the name Charbel, who was a second-century hermit and martyr. 

Charbel studied philosophy and theology. 

In 1875 at the age of 47, he was given permission to live as a hermit. 

When called upon, he would come back into town to administer the Sacraments and preach, and he was an outstanding preacher. Christians and non-Christians alike listened intently to his wisdom and his reputation for holiness spread far beyond the borders of his community. 

In 1898 Charbel died at the age of 70 and after his death, numerous miracles were reported. 

Several people were healed, including Sr. Mary Abel Kamali. 

In 1993, on January 22, 55-year-old Nohad El Shami fell victim to paralysis. She had a dream in which she saw two Maronite monks. 

One operated on her neck while the other held a pillow. She did not recognize the second Monk but knew the first to be St. Charbel. 

She awoke with the pain and the paralysis gone. 

The following night Charbel appeared to her a second time, telling her to visit the hermitage every month on the 22nd and to attend mass every day. 

People now gather every month, on the 22nd, at the hermitage of St. Charbel. 

St. Charbel, please pray for us.