July 24, 2012 Tuesday: St. Sharbel Makhlouf
St. Sharbel Makhlouf
Joseph Makhlouf was born in Lebanon in 1828. He was from a poor family, and his father died when Joseph was very young. Joseph and his brothers and sisters were raised by their mother and an uncle. Their upbringing was very devout, and they learned to understand and love their faith. Joseph was an altar server, and he sang in the church choir. Joseph’s job was to take care of the sheep, and he spent his time alone in prayer and meditation.
Two of Joseph’s other uncles were monks, and he liked to visit them in order to imitate their way of life. When he was twenty-three, he entered a monastery himself, taking the name Sharbel (or Charbel). As a monk, he studied theology and philosophy. He was ordained a priest, and lived a life of prayer, penance, and hard work. This was just what he wanted, and he was very happy.
In 1866, Sharbel moved to a small hermitage in order to live a life of even greater solitude. He felt God was calling him closer by this type of life. He lived in his little room for twenty-three years, devoting most of his time to prayer, especially the Mass. Even though he hid himself away, many people were led to him to ask for spiritual advice and prayers.
In 1898, Sharbel had a stroke while he was celebrating Mass. He was brought back to his room without being able to finish the Mass. He died eight days later, on Christmas Eve. His grave became a place of pilgrimage, and in 1950 there were about 15,000 people coming to the spot every day! Sharbel was canonized by Pope Paul VI in 1977
-Daughters of St. Paul
Joseph Makhlouf was born in Lebanon in 1828. He was from a poor family, and his father died when Joseph was very young. Joseph and his brothers and sisters were raised by their mother and an uncle. Their upbringing was very devout, and they learned to understand and love their faith. Joseph was an altar server, and he sang in the church choir. Joseph’s job was to take care of the sheep, and he spent his time alone in prayer and meditation.
Two of Joseph’s other uncles were monks, and he liked to visit them in order to imitate their way of life. When he was twenty-three, he entered a monastery himself, taking the name Sharbel (or Charbel). As a monk, he studied theology and philosophy. He was ordained a priest, and lived a life of prayer, penance, and hard work. This was just what he wanted, and he was very happy.
In 1866, Sharbel moved to a small hermitage in order to live a life of even greater solitude. He felt God was calling him closer by this type of life. He lived in his little room for twenty-three years, devoting most of his time to prayer, especially the Mass. Even though he hid himself away, many people were led to him to ask for spiritual advice and prayers.
In 1898, Sharbel had a stroke while he was celebrating Mass. He was brought back to his room without being able to finish the Mass. He died eight days later, on Christmas Eve. His grave became a place of pilgrimage, and in 1950 there were about 15,000 people coming to the spot every day! Sharbel was canonized by Pope Paul VI in 1977
-Daughters of St. Paul
