St. Sharbel Makhlouf

St. Sharbel Makhlouf was born Youssef Antoun Makhlouf on 8 May 1828 in the mountain village of Bekaa Kafra in northern Lebanon and entered eternal life on 24 December 1898 at the hermitage near the monastery of Annaya, so that this day marks the anniversary of his holy death on the eve of Christmas. A monk and priest of the Lebanese Maronite Order, he took the name Sharbel after an early martyr and gave himself wholly to the monastic life.

For the last twenty-three years of his life he lived as a hermit in profound silence, poverty, and penance, his days centered on the Holy Eucharist and unceasing prayer. After his death a mysterious light was said to shine about his tomb, and his body was found incorrupt, while innumerable healings and favors were attributed to his intercession, making him one of the most beloved saints of the East. Beatified in 1965 and canonized by Pope Paul VI in 1977, he is remembered on the day of his death, 24 December, as well as on his principal Maronite feast in July.