Devotion to the Saints: prayer to Saint Charbel, the Padre Pio of Lebanon
San Charbel was born in Beqakafra, a town 140 km away from the capital of Lebanon, Beirut, on May 8 of the year of 1828; fifth son of Antun Makhlouf and Brigitte Chidiac, pious peasant family. Eight days after his birth, he received baptism in the church of Our Lady in his country, where his parents imposed the name of Yusef on him. (Joseph)
The first years passed in peace and tranquility, surrounded by his family and above all by his mother's distinguished devotion, who throughout his life practiced his religious faith with the word and the works, giving example to his children who grew up, so in the holy fear of God. At three years of age, Yusef's father was enlisted by the Turkish Army, which at that time fought against Egyptian troops. His father dies on returning home and his mother spends some time remarrying with a devoted and respectable man, who will later receive the diaconate. Yusef always helps his stepfather in all religious ceremonies, revealing from the beginning a rare asceticism and inclination to the life of prayer.
CHILDHOOD
Yusef learns the basics in his country's parish school, in a small room adjacent to the church. At the age of 14 he devoted himself to taking care of a flock of sheep near his father's house; and in this period he began his first and authentic experiences regarding prayer, he constantly retired to a cave he had discovered near the pastures, and there he spent many hours in meditation, often receiving the pranks of the other boys, like him pastors of the area. Apart from his stepfather (deacon), Yusef had two uncles from his mother who were hermits and belonging to the Lebanese Maronite Order, and he ran to them frequently, spending many hours in conversations, concerning the religious vocation and the monk, which each time it becomes more significant for him.
THE VOCATION
At the age of 20, Yusef is a man made, support of the house, he knows that soon he will have to contract marriage, however, he resists the idea and takes a waiting period of three years, in which listening to the voice of God (“ Leave everything, come and follow me ") you decide, and then, without saying goodbye to anyone, not even his mother, one morning in the year of 1851 he goes to the convent of Our Lady of Mayfouq, where he will be received first as a postulant and then as a novice, doing an exemplary life from the first moment, especially regarding obedience. Here Yusef took the novice habit and gave up his original name to choose that of CHARBEL, a martyr from Edessa who lived in the second century.
IN HONOR OF SAN CHARBEL TO GET THANKS
In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Venerable Saint Charbel, you spent your life in the solitude of a humble and hidden hermitage, thinking neither of the world nor of its pleasures. Now that you are in the presence of God the Father, we ask you to intercede for us, so that he may offer us his blessed hand and help us, enlighten our mind, increase our faith, and strengthen our will to continue our prayers and supplications before you and all the saints.
Our Father - Ave Maria - Glory to the Father
Saint Charbel who, by God's gift, perform miracles, heal the sick, restore reason to the alienated, sight to the blind and movement to the paralyzed, look at us with eyes of piety and grant us the grace that we implore you (ask for grace ). We ask for your intercession at all times and especially in the hour of our death. Amen.
Our Father - Ave Maria - Glory to the Father
Lord and our God, make us worthy of celebrating on this day the memory of your chosen Saint Charbel, of meditating on his life of love for you, of imitating his divine virtues, and like him, unite us deeply with you, to to reach the bliss of your saints who participated on earth in the passion and death of your Son, and, in heaven, in his glory forever and ever. Amen.
Our Father - Ave Maria - Glory to the Father
San Charbel, from the top of the mountain, where only you withdrew from the world to fill us with heavenly blessings, the sufferings of your people and your country have greatly grieved you in your soul and heart. With great perseverance, you followed, praying, mortifying you and offering your life to God, the events of your people. Thus you have deepened your union with God, enduring human iniquities and protecting your people from evil. Intercede for all of us that God grant us to always act by seeking peace, harmony and goodness with all. Protect us from evil in the present hour and for all ages. Amen.
Our Father - Ave Maria - Glory to the Father