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Thought for the Day – 24 July – The Memorial of St Charbel of Makhluf  ( Watch – “The Saint Charble Song” …it’s special…

In 1950, Father George Webby, a Maronite priest from Scranton, visited Lebanon, took a photo of monks outside the wall of the monastery in which St. Charbel had lived and upon development of the picture saw that St. Charbel miraculously appeared with the monks, according to information provided by St. Anthony’s Church.

Art work for holy pictures of this saint is now taken from this photo.   Can you see him? (Hint: smack dab in the middle) click on the picture and then zoom in….

St. Charbel is listed among The Incorruptibles, saints whose bodies were found intact years after burial. His body kept pouring oil and blood until the year before his canonization in 1977.

“…a hermit of the Lebanese mountain is inscribed in the number of the blessed, a new eminent member of monastic sanctity is enriching, by his example and his intercession, the entire Christian people.   May he make us understand, in a world largely fascinated by wealth and comfort, the paramount value of poverty, penance and asceticism, to liberate the soul in its ascent to God…” ……….Blessed Pope Paul VI, October 9, 1977

St Charbel Makhluf, Pray for us!

A beautiful ode to Saint Charbel, written by J. Michael Thompson- (a Catholic Composer, professor of ecclesiastical chant):

The mountain heights of Lebanon Resound with songs of joy; The cedars of that ancient land Stand tall as we employ Our hymns of praise and thankfulness For Sharbel’s saintly ways, Lived out in strict humility That guided all his days.

True monk and hermit of the hills, Saint Maron’s modest son Scorned wealth and comfort in his life That heaven’s crown be won. Of Mary, heaven’s Queen and Gate, Devoted son was he, Who cherished all the ancient rites With great humility.

Fierce lover of the lowly life, True father of the poor, As you have done, so help us all To struggle and endure, That Christ be praised in ev’ry life, That riches not ensnare Or rule us in our daily walk; That strong may be our prayer!

O Father, Son, and Spirit blest, One God in persons three, Receive this hymn we offer now, And keep your Church e’er free To follow, as Saint Sharbel did, Enflamed with love so bright That we, with eyes fixed firm on Christ, May vanquish sin’s dark night.