Introduction :
Neither the narrow roads nor the obstacles and the hindrances of that far place can stop the flow of crowds. Human waves were flooding to the convent, day and night. Welfare women descending from wealthy families were walking bare foot in narrow and muddy arrows. Children, young and old people, ill and crippled, were crawling. The eyes of everyone were shining of hope. Hearts were filled with great religious love.
Before the tomb of the hermit, tears were wetting the floor. Lips were kissing the walls and imploring God. Everyone was trying to touch the tomb. Here, the illness is in meeting with faith. The prayers were rising continuously to the Sky. The conversion was increasing among the crowds who were seeking the healing of bodies and souls. At each moment, a hail could be heard amongst exalts and the sound of bells: “A miracle! A miracle!”
All of them were asking for relics. But those who failed to have some gathered a handle of soil that surrounded the tomb or took a leave of the oak underneath which the Saint used to sit. This old oak got bare progressively. It became source of relics and healings. The leaves were boiled and offered to sick people.
The attention is not only drawn to the life and the death of Father Charbel but to his miracles as well. People lived a great divine presence. They felt an extraordinary might that was healing the wounds of bodies and souls.
Since November 11, 1926, the monks of the monastery did not stop registering the unique graces attributed to the intercession of the hermit and which they knew either by letters or orally. Christians and non Christians, from East and West, told countless miracles and extraordinary marvels. Many great facts were attributed to F. Charbel when he was alive. However, after his death, since April 22, 1950, he started to abound generously the graces of God.
These miracles were performed either by touching one of the Saint tracks or by having some of the sweat oozing from his body, or even by taking a piece of his clothes. Mostly, the solicitation of his intercession was the simple way of healing.
The miracles and graces registered at St Maron Monastery in 1950, which was called the “charbelic” year, are countless and numerous. For this reason, we cannot but mention some of the said miracles.
Here are some of the miracles performed by the almighty Lord through the intercession of F. Charbel especially during those years. It is worth mentioning that these certificates were written and signed by the designated people to which were attached medical reports when needed.
The healing of Boutros Bechara Salameh :
I am Boutros Bechara Salameh from Mayfouk. I had ulceration all over my body. Doctors were helpless. My aunt told me that the Superior of the monastery is keeping some droplets of F. Charbel’s blood. She said, “Go and ask him few droplets, rub yourself and you will get healed at the moment and get rid of all these drugs”. Thus, I did what I’ve been told and the following day I was healed through the intercession of F. Charbel.
Signature of Youssef Sleimane Nehmeh.
The healing of Toufic Youssef Zougheib :
I am Gerges Gibrael Abi Younes. I knew that my cousin Toufic Youssef Zougheib was bit by a snake in his big toe and he was about to die. I asked the intercession of father Charbel and I made a vow that if my cousin will be healed, he will visit himself the tomb of Father Charbel. At the moment, he was healed.
July 23, 1949.
The healing of Charbel Tanios Maroun :
My name is Charbel Tanios Maroun. While I was working at the quarry, a rock fell on my finger which got severely injured. I rubbed it with soil mixed with the sweat of F. Charbel. In 24 hours, the wound had no trace, all this due to the intercession of F. Charbel.
March 8, 1950.
The healing of Amin Chahine :
I am Tanios Amin Chahin from Kartaba. My father, Amin Sarkis Chahine, suffered from cardiomegaly. All the treatments were useless. I made a vow to F. Charbel and asked him to heal my dad. My father was healed due to the intercession of F. Charbel.
March 13, 1950.
The healing of Aaida Khawas :
On June 3, 1950, Mrs Wasifeh, 27 years old, Sunnite and wife of Mr Kheyr El Dine Khawas from Aleppo, appeared in front of us in St Maron monastery and declared the following: “My daughter Aaida, three months old, fell sick and doctors couldn’t diagnose her illness. Some considered that she was suffering from intestinal fever.
Finally, I got from our Armenian neighbors blessed water and oil from the tomb of Father Charbel. I gave her blessed water to drink and rubbed her with the oil. Five hours later, she cried and I fed her. At the moment she was healed.
I came, bare feet and unveiled, and visited the monastery of St Maron, tomb of Father Charbel, in order to thank God and His servant for healing my daughter.”
The healing of Youssef Hanna Chiha :
I am Youssef Hanna Chiha from Ban, Lebanon. I had a swollen gland on my throat that became bigger and bigger with time. Doctors Chaker Naser and Hanna Jabbour El Ikrini said that no surgery could be done otherwise many side effects would take place.
I took an oak leave and rubbed my neck and made a vow that if I will be healed, I will visit on foot the monastery. At night, while I was sleeping, I felt water flowing on my neck. I thought it was raining. I woke up and then fell asleep again. In my dream, I saw a monk telling me: “You do not believe in Charbel, he healed you. Do not offend monks for they represent a kind of perfection, and if some don’t, then they deserve some respect because of the cassock they wear.”
In the morning, the swollen gland, about the size of an egg, disappeared. It took him two days of walk to reach the convent.
The witnesses: Fouad Said and Hanna Gerges Chiha
June 3, 1950
Fingerprint of his right thumb.
The healing of Semaan Dib Chlela :
On June 11, 1950, appeared in front of me Semaan Dib Chlela, 55 years old, from Tabarja and declared the following: “I suffered from gastric ulcer during 17 years which caused unbearable pain. I was hospitalized in Hotel Dieu de France in 1944 where I stayed 3 months. The tests revealed a severe anemia. The food was accompanied with carbonate, even water. Many doctors examined me but in vain. Carbonate eased my pain temporarily.
Finally, I visited the man of God Charbel on May 8, 1950 and drank blessed water. Since then, all the symptoms of the illness disappeared. I could eat all kind of food and until now, June 11, I am still getting better and I am ready to submit a medical report.
Signed by F. Youssef Khachan after reading it to Semaan
The witnesses: Nehmatalla Bechaalany (the Cry of the Homeland newspaper), Richard Nassar and Najib Mahfouz.
The healing of Antoine Joseph Sfeir :
On November 1st, 1950, Mr. Joseph Sfeir, accompanied by his wife Rose, appeared in front of me, F. Youssef Khachan, the recorder of St Charbel’s miracles, and declared the following:
“My son Antoine, 2 years old, was attacked suddenly by poliomyelitis on the beginning of October 1950. His situation aggravated and doctors informed us that there was no hope for his healing unless a miracle was performed.
When the paralysis spread to the throat of our son, he could not swallow or breathe anymore. Doctors were afraid that the disease spreads to the other members of the body especially his heart.
One of them warned us that our son will die during the night.
At the moment, his mother hurried and brought the picture of St Charbel as well as blessed water and said: “Father Charbel! I beg you! Deny the report of doctors and let him drink this water in order to be healed!” Thus, the child swallowed three spoons of water easily. His situation became better and his temperature decreased. He started to eat all food offered to him.”
His mother visited the hermitage on foot and he visited the monastery with his father.
To show our gratitude to St Charbel, we came to register this miracle and thank him.
November 1st, 1950. The healing of Iskandar Naoum Touma Obeid :
On November 1, 1950, appeared in front of me, F. Youssef Khachan, the registrar of St Charbel’s miracles, Mr. Iskandar Naoum Touma Obeid from Baabdat, Maronite, 48 years old and declared before us the following:
“13 years ago, while I was walking with my brother-in-law Assaad Korbany from Bhersaf, he spread a cypress branch and released it. He did not pay attention that I was behind him. Unfortunately, the branch targeted my right eye. At the moment I lost the sight for the retina was damaged. I went immediately to see Dr. Toufic Salhab who informed that the situation was critical. He advised me to go and see a specialist, Dr Nagre who found out after the auscultation that the retina was scratched and there was no hope to be healed. He asked me to stay at hospital where I spent few days but my situation was the same. Many doctors examined my eye and they all summed that it should be removed in order to safeguard the other one. I was hearing almost the same sentence: “Consider that you were born with one sane eye”. They asked me to save my money for there was no chance for healing.
I lost hope and I spent a lot of money. My eye hasn’t progressed. However, when the news of St Charbel’s miracles and marvels were spread all over the country, I counted on God. People from everywhere were visiting his tomb even my wife went to the monastery but I refused to go before praying the novena to see whether I was going to heal or no. I prayed the novena for four times. At the end, I saw St Charbel in my dream telling me: “Go and visit my tomb or you will not appreciate what will happen”.
The following day, on October 1, 1950, I visited the monastery where I spent the night. However, I came back without any progress except that I felt a slight pain in my eye.
Two days later, I felt a horrible and unbearable pain that I decided to get it removed so I can feel better. At four o’clock in the afternoon, I fell asleep. In my dream, I saw that I was pulling a car towards St Moses monastery in Douwar. When I arrived, the driver took an iron strip and by mistake hit my right eye. I screamed to the point that my family was terrified. I was completely sweated and exhausted. I told them what I saw. Later on, I fell asleep again and I saw for the second time in my dream that I was going to work at St Moses monastery. While I was working, soil entered in my eye. I took a break and sat down. An old monk came towards me and asked me what was wrong. I told him that my eye was hurting me since the morning. Then he said: “Why you did not tell me before. I am going to bring you antibiotic in powder. I’ll be back in a while”. When he came back, he put some powder in my eye and said: “Be no afraid. It will swell and will hurt too much. Close it a bit”.
I woke up and found that the monk was gone. All I saw was asphalt on which was sculpted in Syriac the name of St Charbel. At this moment, I woke up and found myself in bed. I called my wife and asked her if my eye was swollen and her answer was positive. I realized that the dream came true and I kissed the picture of St Charbel. All our neighbors were gathered and the news spread all over the country. Thus people came from everywhere to hear about this miracle. Among the visitors were doctors Toufic and Emile Salhab who examined my eye and confirmed my healing. Dr. Toufic Salhab submitted the report below.
The report of Dr. Toufic Salhabfrom Baabdate:
I, the undersigned Toufic Salhab, doctor in the municipality of Baabdate and the dispensary of Broumana, certify and confirm that this morning I examined Mr. Iskandar Naoum Touma who in 1937, i.e. 13 years ago, lost the sight in his right eye because of a cypress branch hit that damaged the retina, according to many ophthalmologists, such as Nagre, Abella, Sleiby, Oliver and Touma. I examined Mr Touma upon his request to testify the healing of the damaged eye by the means of a miracle further to his visit to St Charbel’s tomb.
I know Mr Touma before the accident. I am always in contact with him because of his blacksmith career. My colleagues and I confirm that Mr. Touma lost the sight in his right eye, for this reason, he underwent a test in order to attest the healing. We put a band on his left eye and we made him read a newspaper distant of one meter. He was able to read the titles and subtitles easily. We also gave him a book with small characters and the result was the same.
After all I witnessed I cannot but confirm the extraordinary power that led to the healing.
This report was delivered upon the request.
Doctor Toufic Salhab.
The healing of Tanios Azar :
Mr. Tanios Azar, 45 years old, Maronite from Jezzine, appeared in front of me and declared the following:
“I fell from a tree and I broke my right leg. I got it splinted four times but in vain. I could hardly walk with crutches. When I visited the monastery, I left the crutches and I went up to the hermitage.
I thank Charbel the man of God for this grace.
November 2, 1950
Signed by F. Youssef Khachan after reading it to Tanios
The healing of Zakhia Adib Maroun Bassil
On March 9, 1951, Mrs. Lucia, from Fidar, Byblos, appeared in front of me and declared the following:
“My son, Zakhia, 1 year old, suffered from pneumonia which caused a fever all over six days.
Dr Antoine Chami and Dr Jebrayel Tawile from Jbeil examined him many times and prescribed him many drugs but in vain. His situation got worse and he was about to die. Dr Chami told me once: “Your son is in great danger!”
I suggested that we take him to Beirut but Dr Chami objected: “It’s already midnight. We cannot take the risk. I had a daughter who died because of the same disease.”
When I heard these words, I made a vow to St Charbel promising him, that if my son will recover, I will be begging for one day and the amount I will gain, I will double it from my own account.
In order to decrease the temperature, we put ice cubes on his belly. After the vow I made, his temperature decreased progressively.
Dr Chami examined him and said gladly: “You are lucky! Your son will live!”
I am ready to take oath to confirm the authenticity of this statement.
Lucia Adib Maroun Bassil
March 9, 1951.
The healing of Mandar Tannous Saadeh :
Mr. Mandar Tannous Saadeh is born in Lehfed. He is Maronite, 51 years old. He is the son of Mrs. Sabate Tannous Saadeh.
We are the 22nd of March, 1951. I am Mandar Tannous Saadeh from Lehfed. I declare the following:
I suffered from a kidney stone. Dr Chahid El Khoury, depute of Mount Lebanon, examined me three times and informed me 50 days previous to the current day, that this stone cannot be removed but through a surgery.
When I heard these words, I was terrified. Thus, I went to visit the tomb of St Charbel. I could not sleep in the convent because of the freezing cold. For this reason, I came back home. I started the novena of St Charbel asking him to heal him.
When I finished the novena, nine days later, the pain was gone and I am in good health till now.
I went to see Dr El Khoury and he was surprised for the stone disappeared. He asked me: “what did you do to remove the stone?” I answered: “I prayed the novena”. “We all need the intercession of St Charbel,” he replied.
March 22, 1951.
The healing of Zakhia Adib Maroun Bassil :
On March 9, 1951, Mrs. Lucia, from Fidar, Byblos, appeared in front of me and declared the following:
“My son, Zakhia, 1 year old, suffered from pneumonia which caused a fever all over six days.
Dr Antoine Chami and Dr Jebrayel Tawile from Jbeil examined him many times and prescribed him many drugs but in vain. His situation got worse and he was about to die. Dr Chami told me once: “Your son is in great danger!”
I suggested that we take him to Beirut but Dr Chami objected: “It’s already midnight. We cannot take the risk. I had a daughter who died because of the same disease.”
When I heard these words, I made a vow to St Charbel promising him, that if my son will recover, I will be begging for one day and the amount I will gain, I will double it from my own account.
In order to decrease the temperature, we put ice cubes on his belly. After the vow I made, his temperature decreased progressively.
Dr Chami examined him and said gladly: “You are lucky! Your son will live!”
I am ready to take oath to confirm the authenticity of this statement.
Lucia Adib Maroun Bassil
March 9, 1951.
The healing of Father Louis Mahfouz :
I am F. Louis Mahfouz, server of the parish of Dweir and Fidar. I am 58 years old. I suffered from a kidney failure starting January 8, 1951. I stayed in bed for about two months with a fever although I took many drugs.
Finally, I went to the hospital where they made me radiology. But they couldn’t find anything in the kidney. I came back home and my situation got worse. My doctor Antoine Chamy advised me to go to Hotel Dieu de France Hospital. I stayed there 15 days. I suffered from high fever.
The French doctor decided to try the double J stent. I only could bear one session and I felt a great discomfort. I was urinating blood and small pieces of flesh because of this test. I was sweating and I felt cold to the point that I couldn’t stand up anymore. I went to bed exhausted from tiredness and pain.
In the night, I made a vow to St Charbel and I said to him: “St Charbel! Please do not let me die here! The expenses that my family will afford can be paid as honoraries for a mass. In case I lived, I promise to visit you as soon as possible.”
In the morning, I informed doctors and nurses that I was leaving the hospital. They blamed me considering that I will come back in a worst situation. I answered: “I count on St Charbel.” I came back home and my family started the novena. The ninth day, I went to the mass and I visited the tomb of St Charbel where I asked him to heal me otherwise people will laugh at me for the majority considered that I must pursue the Double J Stent sessions. I came back home with a high fever.
On the same day, in the afternoon, I felt an ache in my urinary tract. At midnight, I felt like the stone was out. In the morning, I found that the stone was black and thick.
Two days later, the fever started to decrease and I could eat. I went to the mass and I got better day after day. I am in a good health and I came today to thank St Charbel.
I am surprised and astonished and I am wondering how I can be healed in two days after I was ill during 70 days.
I confirm my words by signing in person.
May 27, 1951.
The healing of Wadiha Tanios Zaarour :
I am Wadiha Tanios Zaarour from Bkakafra and I’m 16 years old. I suffered from gastric pain. Doctor Hitti examined me and made me three radiologic tests. Finally, he found out that I was suffering from cancer. I underwent a surgery on September 1950 realizing that no healing would take place.
Twelve days after the surgery, I came with my father in order to visit the man of God Charbel. It is worth to mention that intravenous injection was the only way of feeding. Before coming to the monastery, my parents were counting my remaining days among them. I was refusing any kind of food or beverage and I lost conscience.
When we got to Hasroun, they injected me and I woke up. Later on, we reached Annaya and all over the day I did not feel any pain. The following day, I felt a slight pain in my stomach that lasted till midnight. I threw up three pieces of coagulated blood and I felt much better. The following day, I woke up and to my surprise I was completely healed. My healing took place in September 1950 and since then I am enjoying a good health.
The healing of Sabate Youssef Badran
I am Mansour Youssef Saber from Ghosta, I am 50 years old and I am a mason. I declare the following:
“My wife, Sabate Youssef Badran from Dlebta, 45 years old, suffered from cancer for 5 years. She saw many doctors such as Dr Fouad Trad who made her a surgery. Despite the operation and radiotherapy, around 200 sessions, the disease remained and got worst.
When we heard about the miracles of father Charbel, her faith got stronger and she went to visit his tomb. While the priest was praying on the Host in the hermitage, my wife asked God to heal her through the intercession of Charbel. According to her, she saw Father Charbel in front of the picture of St Peter surrounded by light and blessing with his hand.
At the moment, she felt the pain in her back and in her belly flowing as an electrical current in her thigh. At the end of the mass, she was healed. Since then, she is in a good health as if she was born again. I am ready to bring a medical report from the surgeon. I am ready as well to take oath in order to confirm the authenticity of my statement.
Made, in my presence, Father Boutros Zahra, Superior of the convent, on July 27 1951
The healing of Habib Mitri Zoughby
I am Habib Mitri Zoughby from Kfartih. I live in the USA for the time being. I am 69 years old, Maronite. I declare the following:
“I suffered from a cardiomegaly that caused me severe pain from time to time. As a result, I suffered from arterial hypertension. I saw many doctors in the USA but in vain.
At the end, I made a vow to visit the tomb of Father Charbel. Thus, the cardiomegaly disappeared and the arterial tension became normal. It has been one year and I’m a good health.
I came to visit the tomb of Father Charbel. I take oath that I’m telling the truth
October 16, 1953.
The healing of Sabate Youssef Badran :
I am Mansour Youssef Saber from Ghosta, I am 50 years old and I am a mason. I declare the following:
“My wife, Sabate Youssef Badran from Dlebta, 45 years old, suffered from cancer for 5 years. She saw many doctors such as Dr Fouad Trad who made her a surgery. Despite the operation and radiotherapy, around 200 sessions, the disease remained and got worst.
When we heard about the miracles of father Charbel, her faith got stronger and she went to visit his tomb. While the priest was praying on the Host in the hermitage, my wife asked God to heal her through the intercession of Charbel. According to her, she saw Father Charbel in front of the picture of St Peter surrounded by light and blessing with his hand.
At the moment, she felt the pain in her back and in her belly flowing as an electrical current in her thigh. At the end of the mass, she was healed. Since then, she is in a good health as if she was born again. I am ready to bring a medical report from the surgeon. I am ready as well to take oath in order to confirm the authenticity of my statement.
Made, in my presence, Father Boutros Zahra, Superior of the convent, on July 27 1951.
The healing of Habib Mitri Zoughby :
I am Habib Mitri Zoughby from Kfartih. I live in the USA for the time being. I am 69 years old, Maronite. I declare the following:
“I suffered from a cardiomegaly that caused me severe pain from time to time. As a result, I suffered from arterial hypertension. I saw many doctors in the USA but in vain.
At the end, I made a vow to visit the tomb of Father Charbel. Thus, the cardiomegaly disappeared and the arterial tension became normal. It has been one year and I’m a good health.
I came to visit the tomb of Father Charbel. I take oath that I’m telling the truth
October 16, 1953.
The healing of Kawkab Selim Abi Zeid :
I am Selim Nassif Abi Zeid from Mlikh, Jezzine. I am emigrant. I am Maronite, 62 years old. I declare and confirm that my unique daughter Kawkab, 40 years old, was attacked by cancer. Many doctors in the USA examined her and decided on Christmas Eve, 1953, to make her a surgery. They asked us to come back after Christmas.
While she was washing herself before going to see the doctor, I added a drop of blessed water that my relatives sent from Lebanon. When she went to see the doctors, they checked her and found out that there was no trace of the disease. So they were astonished and surprised.
When she came back and told me what happened, I confessed to her what I did.
We thanked God and we cried on Christmas Day which was one of the most blessed days.
August 3, 1954.
The healing of Alice Miled Drouby Makhlouf :
I, the undersigned Alice Mlied Drouby Makhlouf, confirm that I was paralyzed for four months. I went to see many doctors but they all said that I needed eight months to recover and be able to walk again normally. It sounded a long period. Thus, I didn’t trust them and I made a vow to St Charbel asking him to heal me when I visited his tomb at night.
When the sun rose, I was healed and I could walk again. For this reason, I asked the priests of the monastery to register this miracle in order to thank St Charbel.
Made by F. Francis Akiki
August 31, 1958.
The healing of Mariam Gergy Abi Younes :
I am Mariam Gergy Abi Younes. I have suffered from epilepsy for twelve years. All the treatments and drugs were useless. When I lost hope, I asked St Charbel to heal me because we were poor and I had to take care of my children. In the evening, St Charbel appeared to me in the dream, accompanied by two other monks and said: “Stand up! You are healed by the power of God!”
The following day, I woke up and I started my daily work at home. Since then, I was healed. It has been twenty years that I am enjoying a good health.
April 2, 1940.
The healing of Youssef Rostom El Khoury
On the 4th of June 1950, the Captain Youssef Rostom El Khoury from Kfarnis in Chouf, aged 52, appeared in front of us and declared the following:
“I was in the French army from 1914 till 1918. In 1917, I fell into a trap which caused the fracture of my right shoulder. I spent a month and a half in Nicosia hospital in Cyprus. I recovered even though I couldn’t carry on doing but simple tasks.
After twenty years in service, I retired. One day while I was swimming, my shoulder got broken again and I was about to sink and luckily, my friends were there to rescue me. A cast was applied several times but in vain.
When the doctor adopting the Arabic techniques did not succeed in fixing my shoulder, I went to the American University Hospital in Beirut, where I underwent radiology tests. After examining me, the doctors Khalidy and Sami Haddad agreed on a surgical intervention in order to remove the coagulated blood in my shoulder. At first, I was absolutely receptive to the idea, however, Dr Haddad refused for there was 10% chance in healing and the risk to damage the vein was high. Therefore, I went to Dr. Rbeiz and showed him the tests results. I asked him if the operation can be avoided and he answered: “We are going to do our best and count on God”.
After having me anesthetized, he broke the shoulder and applied the cast without resorting to surgery. A month later, my situation was getting a bit better and I could write. But, it wasn’t a complete healing: I wasn’t able to put it behind my back neither lifting it above my head.
On the 6th of May, 1950, I heard the news of F. Charbel thus I headed straight to the Monastery of St Maron in Annaya accompanied by my family just to visit the tomb.
After visiting the tomb and bringing blessed water and oil, we went back to Chiyah. On the following day, I went hunting. At night, when I came back, I felt a slight pain in my left foot. Before going to sleep, I rubbed my foot and my shoulder with blessed oil.
When I woke up in the morning, I unconsciously lifted my hands above my head to yawn. My cousin noticed me and signaled to what I just have done. So, she asked me to repeat what I did. As I refused she insisted by saying: “Your hand is healed!” At the same moment, I lifted my hand and made all the exercises.
The news was spread and reached my comrades in the army, specifically the Captain Joseph Hokayem who asked me to undergo some tests. When I went to the Military Hospital in Beirut, I met Dr. Hokayem’s friend with whom I made a bet: if the test revealed that my shoulder was healed, he would pay me 50 Lebanese pounds for he didn’t believe in the miracle.
After he examined me, he concluded that my shoulder was sane as if nothing happened. He also denied all the possibilities of a previous fracture. So he paid me the 50 Lebanese pounds instantly.
Radiologic tests revealed that my right shoulder is in its right place. Surprised, the doctor stood speechless.
I still have all the tests of 1920 as well as the current ones. I enclose the medical report of Dr. Hokayem which certifies the healing and my readiness to take oath. I came with my family to pay tribute to F. Charbel
Captain Youssef Rostoum El Khoury
The witnesses: Ibrahim Tombe and Brother Youssef Stephan The healing of Bachir Baker Nafisa
On June 5, 1950, the young man Bachir Baker Nafisa, born in 1923 in Syria, appeared in front of us in order to visit the tomb of Father Charbel.
Three days earlier, he was still deaf-mute. However, today, he is able to speak like children and can hear a bit. We asked him to repeat: A, B, Boutros, God, John, Joseph…and he was flexible as a child. Asking him what time was it, he answered: “Five to five”.
Mr. Georges Track accompanied him from Beirut and witnessed that he knew this young man and avowed that he was deaf-mute and couldn’t communicate unless using signs.
The witnesses: Nadia Kazma, Rachel El Asmar, Georgette Katrib and the policeman Asmar El Asmar. The healing of Hanna Tannous El Alam
On June 6, 1950, Mrs. Habiba, spouse of Tannous Youssef El Alam from Bcharreh, Maronite, 45 year-old, and accompanied by her handicapped son Hanna, 20 year-old, appeared in front of us and declared the following:
“My son Hanna suffered from typhoid fever when he was nine months. As s result, he got paralyzed and deaf. He started walking as a turtle arousing pity. We were communicating with him using signs.
When we heard the news of the Blessed Charbel, I brought him, two weeks ago, to visit the tomb but he was not healed. When we came back home, he woke up at night, crawled and knocked on the door saying: “Take me to F. Charbel”. He explained to us that he saw F. Charbel who asked him to pray continuously.
Today, June 6, I brought him again to the monastery of St Maron in Annaya where we visited at first the tomb. My son was crawling and praying. I rubbed him with blessed water and oil. Around 3 o’clock, he stood up, he recovered the hearing sense and started to talk and dance with joy. He is now in front of you. He is healed as if he is born again. I attribute this healing to F. Charbel.
It is worth to mention that we put at home the picture of F. Charbel but we forgot to bring incense. In the evening, when my husband came back, he smelled the scent of incense. He asked me: “Did you burn incense?” I answered: “No”. “Father Charbel is warning us that we have to bring incense,” he said.
After reading this certificate to her, she signed it affixing her thumbprint.
The witnesses:
Georges Azar, Sarah Saker and Youssef Tanious. The healing of Chayban Matar
I avow that I have already examined and treated Brother Youssef Chayban Matar from Tannuryn. He suffered from renal colic and from backaches and knee aches especially while walking. This was caused by uric acid excess as well as by renal calculus. It is worth mentioning that his situation improved after he visited the tomb of F. Charbel Makhlouf.
This report was given upon his request.
June 6, 1950
Dr. Antoine Chamy The healing of Youssef Sleimane Ibrahim Hanna and his sister
Youssef Sleimane Ibrahim Hanna, from Mechmech, 17 year-old and his sister Shahideh, 14 year-old, were born deaf-mute. They were able to communicate but through signs. When the miracles of F. Charbel were spread, they used to go every day, even before visitors, to visit the tomb of F. Charbel, imploring him at their own way, arousing visitors’ pity and compassion. On June 11, 1950, Youssef started to hear and repeat what he was asked to say.
As for his sister Shahideh, she started to speak better than her brother however her hearing sense still weak. Mr. Boutros Stephan Deryan, their brother-in-law, accompanied them and declared that their situation improved and that all the inhabitants in the village of Mechmech are aware of their situation.
June 11, 1950
The witnesses: F. Youssef Diryan and Philip Younes |
