Dr. Edith Breburda
Once again, a relic of St. Charbel, the saint from the land of the ancient Phoenicians, visited Phoenix.
The first Lebanese saint is well known for healing the sick and disabled since his death on Christmas Eve in 1889, at the age of 70. His incorrupt body—meaning it never decomposed ---lies in a tomb near his monastery in Lebanon. Since October of 2015, a relic of one of his bones has toured to parishes around the United States.
In 2016 St. Joseph Catholic Maronite Church in Phoenix hosted the saint’s relic. Since that time many wonderful things have been witnessed. Among them, Dafne Gutierrez, a blind mother of three children was completely cured after the intercession of St. Charbel.
The eye doctors had given up all hope of a cure, however, Dafne's sister-in-law convinced her to visit the relic of the saint. On January 18th, 2016, Dafne’s eyesight completely returned within one day of her prayers to St. Charbel, and her receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation and a blessing with Holy Oil.
It healing has baffled the doctors, who concluded that there was no medical explanation for the restoration of her vision. It is believed that St. Charbel's intercession accounted for this astounding healing.
The miracle attracted the attention of the media. Since then, more and more people are flocking to the little church on Virgin Road in Phoenix. The church was declared a pilgrimage site and hosts a permanent relic.
The largest Shrine in North America dedicated to St. Charbel was built nearby. People of faith around the USA, Canada and Mexico come to see this Saint’s relic. Phoenix has a large Lebanese population and the fame of the Lebanese saint has increased greatly, with many believing St. Charbel has miracelous powers of intercession for the faithful.
Fr. Wissam Akiki |
On a daily basis, the parish priest, Fr. Wissam Akiki, receives reports of St. Charbel's wonderful help: cancer disappears, and eyesight is regained after praying to him.
Fr. Akiki is busy every day, listening to people's problems, and in turn, blessing them with the relic and holy oil of St. Charbel. "Go to him!" the priest says. "He will help you!"
Fr. Akiki is deeply touched and humbled by the strength of faith of the many people visiting. “They are driven by their belief in God and love of St. Charbel to make their own pilgrimage and ask St. Charbel to grant his intercession. It is faith, hope, and love of God that sustains and comforts us and provides us the courage and strength to keep our faith strong and never give up on faith.”
From January 18-21, 2018, the original relic was brought back to the church to console the numerous petitioners who have no one to turn to. The often-forgotten people, like legal immigrants, the sick, the unemployed, and the uninsured pray especially for St. Charbel’s heavenly intervention.
Most Reverend Bishop John S Pazak |
For them, he is a saint who helps everybody, regardless of his status or belief. Muslims and Christian pilgrims are among the petitioners praying to him at his homestead in Lebanon and wherever his relics are hosted.
In the week when the Church is focused on unity among all religions, it is a unique and beautiful sight to see the many visitors join to invoke the saint who they know will help them in their travails.
Devotional prayers, adoration, the veneration of the relic, and the Holy Liturgy in different rites was celebrated. For the many in attendance, it was an unforgettable experience of the beauty of unity.
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