Six Miracles of Saint Charbel
Through the incredible intercession of Saint Charbel Makhlouf, hundreds of thousands have been miraculously and inexplicably healed. This great thaumaturge saint was a hermit monk in Annaya, Lebanon's mountains, when his miracles began. Today, many pilgrims visit his tomb at Annaya Monastery to pray and seek his help. Even through prayers to Saint Charbel, great graces are granted. Indeed, numerous testimonies worldwide from people of all religions attest to his power and aid.
Miracle of the Oil Lamp
This miracle secured permission for Saint Charbel to become a hermit.
The saint had requested his superiors to retire to a hermitage, but they refused, awaiting a special sign. One night, Saint Charbel asked a servant to refill his oil lamp. Distracted and clumsy, the servant poured water into it. Yet the lamp didn’t extinguish—the flame ignited and burned brightly all night. Astonished, Charbel’s superiors had no choice but to grant his request.
Miracle Healing a Child with Typhoid
In 1875, Saint Charbel was summoned by a father to his dying child’s bedside. The boy had typhoid and was given no hope. He remained unconscious for days, weakened to the brink of death. Saint Charbel visited him, took a damp cloth, and wiped the child’s forehead. Instantly, the sick child sat up and cried: "Father Charbel!" The saint replied:
"Glorify God—the sick one is healed! Give him food!"
The healed boy lived to 85, becoming a doctor who later treated Saint Charbel.
Miracle Healing a Mute Man
One day, a man brought his mute brother to Father Charbel. He explained his brother had suddenly lost speech two months prior. Saint Charbel invited the mute man into the church. Soon after, he joined him wearing a stole and holding the Gospel. The saint mixed holy water with powdered martyrs’ bones and gave it to the sick man to drink, telling his brother:
"Do not fear! He will be healed!"
Ten minutes after drinking, the sick man exclaimed: "My brother!" From then on, he ceaselessly glorified the Lord for this grace.
Miracle Healing Nohad El-Chami
This miracle was chosen for Charbel’s canonization.
Nohad El-Chami, a Lebanese mother of 12, fell ill around age 55. She suffered cervical arteriosclerosis causing hemiplegia (half-body paralysis). Her condition worsened rapidly: bedridden, unable to self-feed. Doctors found no cure. One night, Nohad awoke to see Saint Maron and Saint Charbel in her room. They announced:
"We are here to operate and heal you."
Frightened, she fervently prayed to the Virgin Mary for help. Immediately, the Mother of Jesus appeared between the two saints, reassuring her. Saint Charbel began operating on her neck. Nohad felt intense pain. Saint Maron made her drink and declared her healed. Nohad tried to rise—and succeeded. She moved her hand—it worked. She then saw two large scars (with visible stitches) on her neck. She was miraculously healed.
The next day, she went to Saint Charbel’s tomb in Annaya with her family to give thanks. While apart from pilgrims, Saint Charbel appeared, saying:
"Don’t avoid people! I healed you by God’s power so they may see you! Many have drifted from prayer, the Church, and reverence for saints. To those who seek me—Father Charbel—I remain present at the hermitage. I ask you to visit the hermitage on the 22nd of each month and attend Mass for life."
The healed woman obeyed. To this day, pilgrimages continue monthly on the 22nd at Annaya.
Miracle of the Sick Sheep Herd
A shepherd from Batroun (northern Lebanon) had a sheep herd sick with yellow fever. His animals died one by one. He went to Saint Charbel for help. Explaining his plight, the saint replied:
"Am I God to prevent death?"
As the man turned to leave, Saint Charbel stopped him:
"Do you have a container to fill with water?"
The saint blessed water and gave it to him. Home again, the shepherd sprinkled his herd. All sheep were healed. The man gave thanks to God and Saint Charbel.
Later, the same man returned because his silkworms were mysteriously dying. Again, Saint Charbel gave him holy water—saving the insects.
Miracle in a Muslim Family
One winter night in 1994, Muslim siblings were home alone while their mother hospitalized their sick youngest sister. The house was cold and foodless. An elderly imam knocked—dressed in black with a hood and long white beard. The children opened the door, and he reassured:
"Do not fear!"
He entered, lit a fire, cooked rice pudding, and helped with homework. When the mother returned hours later, her eldest daughter asked:
"Didn’t you see the imam leave?"
Puzzled, the mother replied: "No. Who is this imam?" The girl explained:
"He cooked rice pudding, heated the house, tutored us, and repeated: ‘Do not fear!’"
Finding the pot still warm, the mother exclaimed:
"Praise God for all He has done!"
Days later, the Muslim family visited a Christian friend. The eldest daughter saw Saint Charbel’s photo on the wall and told her mother:
"That’s the imam who visited us that night!"
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