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Charbel Makhlouf, Lebanese Maronite Hermit
 Youssef Makhlouf was born in 1828 to a modest family from Bika'Kafra, the highest village in North Lebanon. He was the youngest of five children. The little Youssef never knew his father who died when St. Charbel was only two years old. At the age of twenty-three he left home silently one morning and entered the monastery of Our Lady of Mayfouk (North of Byblos) where he became a novice. After two years of novitiate, in 1853 he was sent to St. Maron monastery where he pronounced the monastic vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.
Charbel was then transferred to the monastery of Kfifan where he studied philosophy and theology, St Nimatullah Kassab El-Hardini was one of St Charbel's teachers. Six years later in 1859, at the age of 31, he was ordained to the priesthood, after which he was sent back to St. Maron monastery.
During his sixteen years in St. Maron monastery, he was in every way a model of perfection; he performed his monastic duties in an enlightening way. He totally dedicated himself to Christ with undivided heart to live in silence. His 23 years of solitary life in a spirit of total abandonment to God. Saint Charbel was able to detach itself from everything except the adorable Face of the Lord.
In 1875, at forty-seven years of age, he retired to its nearby at St. Peter & Paul hermitage, where he would remain until his death. On December 16, 1898 while reciting the Father of Truth prayer at the Holy Liturgy a paralysis struck him as he elevated the Host.
He died on Christmas Eve at the age of 70. He was buried in the St. Maron monastery cemetery in Annaya.
A few months after his death a bright light was seen surrounding his tomb. Then the superiors opened his tomb to find his body still intact. Since that day a blood-like liquid flows form his body. Experts and doctors are unable to give medical explanation for the phenomenon. In 1950 and 1952 his tomb was opened and his body still had the appearance of a living one.
The spirit of Saint Charbel still lives in many people. After his death many miracles occurred include healings of the body and of the spirit.
On December 5, 1965 Pope Paul VI beatified Charbel. On October 9, 1977, Pope Paul VI blessed Charbel among the ranks of the Saints.
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