His Life
From Bekaa Kafra to sainthood
Walk through the key moments in the life of Saint Charbel Makhlouf, the hermit of Annaya.
May 8, 1828
Born in Bekaa Kafra
Youssef Antoun Makhlouf is born in the highest village of northern Lebanon, the fifth child of a humble farming family.
1831
Loss of his father
His father dies while serving as a forced labourer. Youssef is raised by his mother and later his uncle, and grows close to his hermit uncles.
1851
Enters the monastery
At 23 he leaves home secretly to join the Lebanese Maronite Order at Our Lady of Mayfouk, taking the name Charbel.
1853
Religious vows
He makes his solemn vows at the Monastery of Saint Maron in Annaya, then studies theology at Kfifan.
July 23, 1859
Ordained a priest
Charbel is ordained at Bkerke and returns to Annaya, where he lives for about 16 years as a model of prayer and obedience.
1875
Becomes a hermit
He receives permission to live in the Hermitage of Saints Peter and Paul near Annaya, where he spends 23 years in silence, prayer and fasting.
December 16, 1898
Final Mass
While celebrating Mass he suffers a stroke at the elevation, but continues praying the liturgy in his last days.
December 24, 1898
Dies on Christmas Eve
Charbel dies aged 70 and is buried in the monastery cemetery at Annaya.
1899
Light over the tomb
A bright light is seen over his grave for weeks. When the tomb is opened, his body is found incorrupt.
1950
The great awakening
The tomb is reopened; the body still exudes fluid. Thousands of pilgrims arrive and many healings are reported.
December 5, 1965
Beatification
Pope Paul VI beatifies Charbel at the close of the Second Vatican Council.
October 9, 1977
Canonisation
Pope Paul VI declares him a saint in Rome — Saint Charbel, the first Lebanese saint canonised in modern times.