Saint Sharbel Talk by Dr. Anne Borik at St. Anne Catholic Church in Gilbert, Arizona July 23, 2024

Saint Sharbel Talk by Dr. Anne Borik at St. Anne Catholic Church in Gilbert, Arizona July 23, 2024

Introduction

Dr. Anne Borik, a medical doctor practicing in Arizona, hosted an enlightening evening centered around Saint Sharbel at St. Anne Catholic Church. Dr. Borik shared from her heart, intertwining personal experiences and miraculous healings attributed to Saint Sharbel, particularly emphasizing the saint's devotion to Jesus in the Eucharist and the Blessed Mother.

Saint Sharbel: A Brief Biography

Saint Sharbel Makhlouf was born Joseph Makhlouf in 1828 in Lebanon. Following the death of his father at a young age, he was raised by his devout mother and uncle, a priest. Entranced by a life of prayer, young Joseph often retreated to a cave to pray, setting the stage for his future hermit lifestyle. At 21, he entered the Monastery of St. Maron in Annaya, Lebanon, and was ordained a priest. His dedication to living as a hermit led to many mystical and miraculous occurrences throughout his life, including the famous miracle of the lamp, where a lamp filled with water instead of oil miraculously burned.

His Death and Legacy

On December 16, 1898, during the elevation of the host, Saint Sharbel collapsed, deeply engaging in the "Father of Truth" prayer. For the next eight days, he remained in constant prayer until his death on Christmas Eve.

Upon his burial, a miraculous light emanated from his tomb, drawing attention and devotion to him. His body remained incorrupt and continued to exude bodily fluids, drawing thousands who sought his intercession, and many were healed. He was canonized by Pope Paul VI in 1977.

Miraculous Healings

Dr. Borik shared several miraculous healings attributed to Saint Sharbel:

1. Lebanese Woman: A woman with a massive stroke was healed after her son applied holy oil obtained from Saint Sharbel’s monastery. She awoke with surgical scars on her neck and was completely healed.

2. Daphne Gutierrez: In Arizona, Daphne, who was completely blind due to intracranial hypertension, regained her sight after being blessed with holy oil from Saint Sharbel. Her healing was medically scrutinized and found to have no scientific explanation.

3. Personal Experience with Baby Lena: Dr. Borik recounted how a baby girl with a paralyzed vocal cord was healed after her mother applied holy oil. The baby’s condition improved dramatically, allowing her to go home soon after.

Pilgrimage to Annaya

Dr. Borik showed a video of her 2018 pilgrimage to Annaya, showcasing Saint Sharbel's monastery, his tomb, and the places significant to his life and devotion. The spiritual atmosphere and the many testimonials of miraculous healings make it a profound focus of pilgrimage and prayer.

Devotion and the Chaplet of Saint Sharbel

Saint Sharbel’s spirituality centers around deep devotion to the Eucharist and the Blessed Mother. The Chaplet of Saint Sharbel, composed of sets of prayers honoring his virtues of poverty, chastity, and obedience, as well as his devotion to the Eucharist and Mary, serves as a powerful devotional practice.

Conclusion and Call to Prayer

Dr. Borik concluded with a call to prayer, asking attendees to seek Saint Sharbel’s intercession with faith and to engage in continuous prayer, especially for the healing of the soul. A prayer to obtain graces through Saint Sharbel’s intercession was recited together.

Keywords

• Saint Sharbel Makhlouf
• Miraculous Healings
• Lebanon
• Holy Oil
• Chaplet of Saint Sharbel
• Devotion to the Eucharist
• Blessed Mother
• Incorruptibility
• Divine Intercession

FAQ

1. Who is Saint Sharbel? Saint Sharbel Makhlouf was a Maronite monk and priest known for his devout hermit life, deep spirituality, and miraculous intercessions. He was born in 1828 in Lebanon and died in 1898.

2. What is the significance of the miracle of the lamp? The miracle of the lamp, where water in a lamp miraculously burned, demonstrated Saint Sharbel’s deep spirituality and was a pivotal event that led to his acceptance into the Hermitage lifestyle.

3. How did Saint Sharbel die? Saint Sharbel collapsed during the elevation of the host on December 16, 1898, while deeply engaged in prayer. He died eight days later on Christmas Eve.

4. What is the Chaplet of Saint Sharbel? The Chaplet of Saint Sharbel is a set of prayers including the "Father of Truth" prayer and prayers for poverty, chastity, obedience, devotion to the Eucharist, and the Blessed Mother. It is used to seek Saint Sharbel’s intercession.

5. Are miracles still occurring through Saint Sharbel’s intercession? Yes, numerous testimonials and documented healings continue to be reported, attributed to the intercession of Saint Sharbel, emphasizing the enduring power of faith and prayer.

6. How can I obtain Saint Sharbel’s holy oil? Holy oil can be obtained from maronite churches, such as St. Joseph’s Maronite Catholic Church in Phoenix, which offers the holy oil in exchange for a small donation.