Thursday, July 24, 2014

Saint of the Day (Thursday, July 24, 2014) - St. Sharbel Makhluf

Saint   of the Day More   Saints Saint FAQs iPhone App AmericanCatholic.org Image Map

Thursday, July 24, 2014
St. Sharbel Makhluf
(1828-1898)
Listen to Saint of the Day
Although this saint never traveled far from the Lebanese village of Beka-Kafra, where he was born, his influence has spread widely.

Joseph Zaroun Makluf was raised by an uncle because his father, a mule driver, died when Joseph was only three. At the age of 23, Joseph joined the Monastery of St. Maron at Annaya, Lebanon, and took the name Sharbel in honor of a second-century martyr. He professed his final vows in 1853 and was ordained six years later.

Following the example of the fifth-century St. Maron, Sharbel lived as a hermit from 1875 until his death. His reputation for holiness prompted people to seek him to receive a blessing and to be remembered in his prayers. He followed a strict fast and was very devoted to the Blessed Sacrament. When his superiors occasionally asked him to administer the sacraments to nearby villages, Sharbel did so gladly.

He died in the late afternoon on Christmas Eve. Christians and non-Christians soon made his tomb a place of pilgrimage and of cures. Pope Paul VI beatified him in 1965 and canonized him 12 years later.



Blessed John Paul II often said that the Church has two lungs (East and West) and it must learn to breathe using both of them. Remembering saints like Sharbel helps the Church to appreciate both the diversity and unity present in the Catholic Church. Like all the saints, Sharbel points us to God and invites us to cooperate generously with God's grace, no matter what our situation in life may be. As our prayer life becomes deeper and more honest, we become more ready to make that generous response.

[Alt-Text]



If you are having difficulty listening to Saint of the Day audio, or need help setting up an audio player, go to our Audio Help page for more information.
SHARE THIS EMAIL:
FacebookFacebookTwitterTwitterLinkedInLinkedInGoogle+Google+

Check out all our fine free e-newsletters from Franciscan Media:

28 W. Liberty Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Copyright© 1996-2013 Franciscan Media. All rights reserved. Unsubscribe


Saint Books Saint Audio iPhone App Saint of the Day Book Image Map
[Alt-Text]

[Alt-Text]

[Alt-Text]

[Alt-Text]
Friar Jack's E-spirations Saint of the Day Minute Meditations Catholic Greeting Premiere Faith Formation Update Catholic SAMPler Franciscan Media American Catholic Connections E-Newsletters Image Map

No comments:

Post a Comment