Prayer for the intercession of Saint Charbel Makhlouf
Lord, infinitely Holy and Glorified in Your Saints,
You have inspired Charbel, the saint monk,
to lead the perfect life of a hermit.
We thank You for granting him the blessing
and the strength to detach himself from the world
so that the heroism of the monastic virtues of poverty,
obedience, and chastity,
could triumph in his hermitage.
We beseech You to grant us the grace of loving and serving You,
following his example.
Almighty God, Who has manifested
the power of St. Charbel’s intercession
through his countless miracles and favors,
grant us…
[State your intention(s) here…]
through his intercession.
Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.
Saint Charbel Makhlouf
Saint Charbel Makhlouf was born May 8, 1828 in the little village of Biqa-Kafra which is situated in the high mountains of northern Lebanon. His parents were poor and he was the last of five children. He was baptized with the name of “Joseph.”
He was raised in a very devout family which fostered piety and love for God. He was a prayerful youth who from his early years learned to detach himself from worldly vanities. He enjoyed his solitude which he used to pray and think about God.
When he was twenty-three years old he decided to leave home to discover his religious vocation as a monk and hermit.
The Lebanese Maronite Order was founded in Lebanon in 1695 and approved by Pope Clement XII in 1732.
He went to the Monastery of Our Lady of Mayfouk at the north of Jebeil. He stayed there for some time until he was transferred to the Monastery of Saint Maroun at Annaya of the Lebanese Maronite Order. He continued his Novitiate until 1853 when he vowed himself to Poverty, Chastity and Obedience, and choosing the name “Charbel.” His vocation was soon to be tested by trial. There were some persons who felt that he did not have a vocation.
His mother and certain members of his family decided that he should return home to his family. They begged him to leave the Monastery — but he refused firmly and persevered in his vocation.
Saint Charbel professed his solemn monastic vows. His Superiors decided to send him to the Monastery of Kfifan. He continued to study theological subjects. He was ordained a priest in 1859. After his ordination he was sent back to the Monastery of Saint Maroun in Annaya. Already he was known for his humility and fidelity to his duty. His lived the virtues like an Angel and was heroic through his perfect obedience, poverty and chastity.
He spent the next sixteen years of his priestly life at Saint Maroun’s. His Superiors discerned that he had the vocation to live the life of a hermit which he so ardently desired. His mortification and self-denial were an edification to all. Consequently, in 1875 Saint Charbel moved into the hermitage of St. Peter and St. Paul located on the property of the Monastery about one mile away.
Saint Charbel had the vocation from God to live his religious life as a hermit. The purpose of religious life is the sanctification of one’s soul through faith, hope and charity. It is no different for the hermit. The means are prayer, manual work, fasting, and detachment from oneself. All of this to an heroic degree. For twenty-three years, Saint Charbel lived the life of a hermit until he died on December 24, 1898.
Carlos Caso-Rosendi 
Very holy man Saint Charbel Makhlouf!
An example that shines no doubt.
Not many comments. I can understand. I think people feel depressed because our Redemption did not come on October 13th.
But for some people here in Canada, especially among the few remaining Catholic faithfuls, the chastisement arrived on October 21st when Justin Trudeau was reelected.
And maybe they are right. The fact that Trudeau, a guy who is in favor of abortion and all things liberal, has been reelected, that could be the chastisement
We have to pray much, especially the Rosary!
God Bless!
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Thank you Carlos for posting about the life of Saint Charbel, and the prayer. What amazes me is that when first reading the description, it sounds like the ancient Desert Fathers who lived in the first centuries after Christ … somewhat shocking to learn about a Middle Eastern hermit who lived up until 1898!
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Michel,
I’m thinking much the same as you. I have often thought that as human behaviour degenerated, its consequences would form part of the Chastisement that awaits us. Hold fast and it will not do the damage to you as it will to those who enthuse about it.
Mick.
We both share the Archangel’s name, he who will guard us in battle.
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Mick,
Thank you for your encouraging words.
The Lord put on my road a 91 years old priest today when I went to confession.
It was amazing to see a priest of that age having such a sharp mind and he gave me great advices and good words of encouragement also.
Obviously, the Lord is able to keep His priests active for a long time.
And yes, it could be part a the chastisement that we have Godless people ruling over us.
As the saying goes “We have the rulers we deserve”.
God Bless!
And I can’t wait for Carlos next article!
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