A novena to St. Charbel is nine days of prayer asking the intercession of St. Charbel Makhlouf (1828–1898), the Maronite monk and hermit of Lebanon to whom thousands of healings have been attributed. Each day of this novena joins a short passage of Scripture with a moment from St. Charbel’s life and a prayer for your intention. Many people pray it before his feast, July 24 (beginning July 15), on the 22nd of each month, or whenever they or someone they love is seriously ill. Below are how to pray the novena and the nine days.
A short prayer to St. Charbel, written for this page:
St. Charbel, you lived in silence and prayer, close to Jesus in the Eucharist and the Cross.
Pray for me in my need: (name your intention).
Obtain for me healing, if it is God’s will, and above all a heart at peace with God. Amen.
How to pray the novena
- Make the Sign of the Cross.
- Read the Scripture and the reflection for the day.
- Pray the daily prayer and name your intention.
- Finish with an Our Father, a Hail Mary and a Glory Be.
If you have blessed oil from St. Charbel’s shrine at Annaya, you may make the Sign of the Cross with it on the sick person as you pray. See the St. Charbel prayer for his life and the story of his oil.
The nine days
Day 1: The call to prayer
Jesus teaches us to pray in secret (Matthew 6:6, Douay-Rheims):
But thou when thou shalt pray, enter into thy chamber, and having shut the door, pray to thy Father in secret: and thy Father who seeth in secret will repay thee.
As a boy, Youssef Makhlouf used to slip away to a cave near his village to pray. Ask for the grace of a real life of prayer.
St. Charbel, teach me to find time alone with God every day. Amen.
Day 2: Leaving everything for God
At twenty-three he left home secretly to become a monk, taking the name Charbel. Jesus taught that we ought always to pray (Luke 18:1, Douay-Rheims):
And he spoke also a parable to them, that we ought always to pray, and not to faint,
St. Charbel, help me to put God first and to pray without growing tired. Amen.
Day 3: Silence
The prophet Elijah met God not in the wind, the earthquake or the fire, but in a gentle breeze (3 Kings 19:11–12, Douay-Rheims; 1 Kings in other Bibles):
And he said to him: Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord: and behold the Lord passeth, and a great and strong wind before the Lord over throwing the mountains, and breaking the rocks in pieces: the Lord is not in the wind, and after the wind an earthquake: the Lord is not in the earthquake.
And after the earthquake a fire: the Lord is not in the fire, and after the fire a whistling of a gentle air.
St. Charbel, quiet the noise in my heart so that I can hear God. Amen.
Day 4: Be still
(Psalm 45:11, Douay-Rheims; Psalm 46 in other numberings):
Be still and see that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, and I will be exalted in the earth.
For twenty-three years St. Charbel lived as a hermit at the hermitage of Sts. Peter and Paul above Annaya.
St. Charbel, help me to trust God in stillness and patience. Amen.
Day 5: The healing Christ
(Isaias 53:5, Douay-Rheims):
But he was wounded for our iniquities, he was bruised for our sins: the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and by his bruises we are healed.
St. Charbel, I bring you all who are sick, especially (name). Ask Jesus to heal them by His wounds. Amen.
Day 6: God who heals
(Psalm 102:2–4, Douay-Rheims; Psalm 103 in other numberings):
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and never forget all he hath done for thee.
Who forgiveth all thy iniquities: who healeth all thy diseases.
Who redeemeth thy life from destruction: who crowneth thee with mercy and compassion.
St. Charbel, obtain for us healing of body and soul. Amen.
Day 7: The prayer of the just
(James 5:16, Douay-Rheims):
Confess therefore your sins one to another: and pray one for another, that you may be saved. For the continual prayer of a just man availeth much.
St. Charbel, you were a just man whose prayer is powerful. Pray for me and for those I love. Amen.
Day 8: Rest for the weary
(Matthew 11:28–30, Douay-Rheims):
Come to me, all you that labour, and are burdened, and I will refresh you.
Take up my yoke upon you, and learn of me, because I am meek, and humble of heart: and you shall find rest to your souls.
For my yoke is sweet and my burden light.
St. Charbel, bring rest to the weary and comfort to the suffering. Amen.
Day 9: Peace
On Christmas Eve, 1898, St. Charbel died peacefully after a stroke suffered while celebrating Mass. Jesus’ promise of peace (John 14:27, Douay-Rheims):
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, do I give unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid.
St. Charbel, pray for peace in Lebanon, in the Middle East, in my family and in my heart. Grant my intention, if it is God’s will. Amen.
Frequently asked questions
When should I start the St. Charbel novena?
On July 15, to end on the eve of his feast, July 24. Many also pray it at any time of need.
What is St. Charbel known for?
His life of silent prayer and penance as a Maronite hermit, and the many healings attributed to his intercession, especially since his tomb was opened in 1950.
When was St. Charbel canonized?
On October 9, 1977, by Pope St. Paul VI.
More prayers
- St. Charbel prayer
- Catholic prayer for healing
- Novenas
- St. Peregrine prayer
- Patron saints of healing
- Prayer for the sick
Texts and sources
- Matthew 6:6, Luke 18:1, 3 Kings 19:11–12, Psalm 45:11, Isaias 53:5, Psalm 102:2–4, James 5:16, Matthew 11:28–30 and John 14:27 (Douay-Rheims).
- The daily reflections and prayers were written for this page.