Visit Saint Charbel

The Monastery of Saint Maron in Annaya, in the Jbeil (Byblos) district, holds Saint Charbel's tomb. Higher up the hill is the Hermitage of Saints Peter and Paul, where he lived his last 23 years.

Getting there

Annaya is roughly 50 km north-east of Beirut — usually 1 to 1½ hours by car via the coastal highway to Jbeil, then up the mountain road. Many visitors come with an organised pilgrimage group or hire a driver.

What to expect

• The tomb, the monastery church, and a museum about his life.
• A short walk or drive up to the hermitage and his cell.
• Daily Masses; very large crowds on the feast (third Sunday of July) and on the 22nd of each month.
• Dress modestly and keep silence near the tomb and hermitage.

Located on the mountainside above Mount St. Mary's University in Emmitsburg, Maryland (16330 Grotto Road), the Grotto is one of the oldest Lourdes replicas in the United States. Among its devotional sites is the statue of Saint Charbel pictured on our home page.

Getting there

About 1½ hours by car from Baltimore or Washington, D.C., just off US Route 15. Free parking is available near the entrance.

What to expect

• Wooded paths with stations of the cross, chapels and statues of saints.
• Some walking on hilly paths — wear comfortable shoes.
• The grounds are usually open daily during daylight hours, and Masses are held regularly.

Hours and Mass times change with the seasons — please check nsgrotto.org before you visit.