Mariam Assaf Awwad, originally from regions in Syria and residing in Hammana, underwent three cancer surgeries between 1963 and 1965: the first on her stomach, the second on her intestines, and the third on the right side of her neck. However, none of these operations succeeded in eradicating the disease.

As her condition worsened, Mariam turned to prayer, seeking the intercession of Charbel Makhlouf. Her tonsils became cancerous, causing her intense pain and great difficulty swallowing. Her voice gradually weakened, and her tonsils became swollen to the size of walnuts, turning visibly red. She refused all forms of medical treatment, including radiotherapy, and instead placed her trust entirely in prayer. She asked Saint Charbel either to heal her or to grant her the strength to endure her suffering.

One day, while sitting on her bed, she offered this heartfelt prayer: “Will you not grant me healing from this illness, you who are the great saint who healed the blind and the crippled? And when I am healed from this disease, I will go to your shrine to thank you.”

That evening, before going to sleep, she renewed her prayer with deep faith. The following morning, she was completely healed and restored to full health. In fulfillment of her vow, Mariam went to the Monastery of Saint Maron in Annaya, where the tomb of Saint Charbel is located, to give thanks and bear witness to the greatness of God’s work through the saint of Annaya.