Biography
Brother Estephan Nehme was born, to a maronite family, in Lehfed, Lebanon, on March 8th 1889. His parents Estephan Bou Haykal Nehme and Christine Badawi Hanna Khaled. He was baptized on March 15th,1889 at Our Lady Church of Lehfed by Father Gerges Fadel; he was given the name Youssef.
Youssef was the youngest among three boys and two girls and was called the angel of the family. He learned basic reading, writing and Christian teachings under the trees near the Church of Saint Estephan. Since his childhood, he was not sociable and not interested in parties, even among family, he prays late at night repeating: ‘’ God can see me’’.
In 1905, when he was 16 years old, Youssef left his house heading to the Monastery of Saints Cyprian and Justine in Kfifane, he took the name ‘’Estephanos’’. On August 23rd, 1907, the Superior Father Youssef Saker from Kfoun, blessed the vows of Brother Estephan who wore the novices cassock.
Brother Estephan spent 31 years in the monastic life:
• 1908-1910: Our Lady of Mayfouk Monastry.
• 1910-1913: Saint Antonios Monastry in Houb.
• 1913-1922: Our Lady of Mayfouk Monastry.
• 1922-1924: Saint Antonios Monastry in Houb.
• 1924-1928: Saint Challita Monastry in Kettara.
• 1928-1938: Notre-Dame des Secours Monastry in Jbeil.
Brother Estephan was a ‘’Worker monk’’. He was responsible of the field. He learned carpentry when he was in Mayfouk. He was good in construction since he was robust and sturdy.
Brother Estephan has demarcated the borders of the Order’s land when the latter bought it. He was conveyed to reveal the marks after a long conflict. When he achieved his mission and resolved the problem due to his perspicacity, his cleverness as well as his good intention, he went back to the Monastery of Kfifane. He was extremely tired and ill.
He died on Tuesday, August 30th, 1938 at 7 PM.
Youssef was the youngest among three boys and two girls and was called the angel of the family. He learned basic reading, writing and Christian teachings under the trees near the Church of Saint Estephan. Since his childhood, he was not sociable and not interested in parties, even among family, he prays late at night repeating: ‘’ God can see me’’.
In 1905, when he was 16 years old, Youssef left his house heading to the Monastery of Saints Cyprian and Justine in Kfifane, he took the name ‘’Estephanos’’. On August 23rd, 1907, the Superior Father Youssef Saker from Kfoun, blessed the vows of Brother Estephan who wore the novices cassock.
Brother Estephan spent 31 years in the monastic life:
• 1908-1910: Our Lady of Mayfouk Monastry.
• 1910-1913: Saint Antonios Monastry in Houb.
• 1913-1922: Our Lady of Mayfouk Monastry.
• 1922-1924: Saint Antonios Monastry in Houb.
• 1924-1928: Saint Challita Monastry in Kettara.
• 1928-1938: Notre-Dame des Secours Monastry in Jbeil.
Brother Estephan was a ‘’Worker monk’’. He was responsible of the field. He learned carpentry when he was in Mayfouk. He was good in construction since he was robust and sturdy.
Brother Estephan has demarcated the borders of the Order’s land when the latter bought it. He was conveyed to reveal the marks after a long conflict. When he achieved his mission and resolved the problem due to his perspicacity, his cleverness as well as his good intention, he went back to the Monastery of Kfifane. He was extremely tired and ill.
He died on Tuesday, August 30th, 1938 at 7 PM.
On March 10th, 1951, while the monks were burying the late Father Youssef Souraty, they found the body of Brother Estephan none decayed. [1]
He was still supple, with the whole parts and organs of his body, even his hair and his beard had not fallen. His clothes were still new and out of rot. They moved him to a new tomb. In 1962, the Superior of Kfifane’s Monastery, Father Eghnatius Khachan, charged a legal doctor to examine the body of Brother Estephan. He reported that all the organs and parts of the said monk were still safe from decay or any other disfiguration and deterioration. As for the color of the skin, it was almost brown. His members were supple and almost normal as well as the muscles and the belly skin. His hair was also preserved.
Consequently, the Generalate of Lebanese Maronite Order decided to lock the door of the grave where the body of Brother Estephan lays peacefully till present. [2]
He was still supple, with the whole parts and organs of his body, even his hair and his beard had not fallen. His clothes were still new and out of rot. They moved him to a new tomb. In 1962, the Superior of Kfifane’s Monastery, Father Eghnatius Khachan, charged a legal doctor to examine the body of Brother Estephan. He reported that all the organs and parts of the said monk were still safe from decay or any other disfiguration and deterioration. As for the color of the skin, it was almost brown. His members were supple and almost normal as well as the muscles and the belly skin. His hair was also preserved.
Consequently, the Generalate of Lebanese Maronite Order decided to lock the door of the grave where the body of Brother Estephan lays peacefully till present. [2]
The Lebanese Maronite Order submitted a file to the Holy See describing all his virtues and asked for his venerability recognition.
On December 17th, 2007, Pope Benedict XVI recognized Brother Estephan Nehme Venerable.
Brother Estephan was recognized blessed on the altar of the Lord on June 27th, 2010 at the Monastery of Saints Cyprian and Justine in Kfifane, by Archbishop Angelo Amato, S.D.B. Prefect of the Congregation for the causes of saints. [3]
On December 17th, 2007, Pope Benedict XVI recognized Brother Estephan Nehme Venerable.
Brother Estephan was recognized blessed on the altar of the Lord on June 27th, 2010 at the Monastery of Saints Cyprian and Justine in Kfifane, by Archbishop Angelo Amato, S.D.B. Prefect of the Congregation for the causes of saints. [3]
Dear brothers, let us count on God, source of all graces and blessings, asking Him to lift Brother Estephan to the rank of saints. As Saint Paul says: “The crown of Glory is kept for you”, you, loyal servant and faithful monk. [4]
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Official Miracle [5]
Sister Marina Nehme, the niece of Brother Estephan, is one of the nuns of Saint Joseph Monastery in Jrebta, Lebanon. She suffered from osteosarcoma (bone cancer). She prayed to her uncle, Brother Estephan and implored him to heal her. Then she asked one of her relatives to bring her some water from the Fountain of Ghreir that Brother Estephan dug when he was still laic. She drank of this water and instantly she felt better. When doctors examined her, they found out that the cancer has disappeared completely from all her body. This was the official miracle for his beatification.
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Other Healings [6]
Sister Clara Abi Habib
“I am Sister Clara Abi Habib, daughter of Barbar and Majida Abi Habib. I am a nun at Saint John Monastery in Hrash. I suffered from a kidney infection and hyperalbuminemia that might cause a sever body disorder. I followed many treatments and suffered painfully, despite the drugs. At least ten radiologic tests were made at Hotel Dieu de France Hospital, which revealed that kidneys were secreting pus because of infection. After I lost hope, I visited with a nun, as well as with my parents, the Monastery of Kfifane where lay the body of Brother Estephan Nehme. I had all faith that if I touched him, I would get healed. Indeed, after touching the body, I was healed at the moment. And since, I could eat all kinds of food that were forbidden all over my sickness period. I thank God first and then Brother Estephan who granted me the grace of healing.”
Nassab Salim Tarraf
“I am Georgette, wife of Nakhleh Salim Tarraf, from Hadath. I attest that my daughter, Nassab, 6 years old, suffered from allergic conjunctivitis that caused her pain and ache and she could not sleep at night. Many specialists examined her and all their prescriptions were in vain. Finally, Dr. Samir Slaiby prescribed her an eye drops that I did not even open. I took it straight to the Monastery of Kfifane with all faith to the tomb of Brother Estephan. I swear to God and to my life that when I put on my daughters’ eyes a relic from the tomb, she was healed instantly. This is what I witness in front of God and people. I thank Brother Estephan.”
Elias Abi Jawdeh
“A spot appeared on my right hand and soon disappeared. However, my hand swollen up to the underarm. The veins blew up obviously and I could not articulate my fingers. I rubbed it with many creams but in vain. At last, one doctor advised me to undergo an urgent surgery to get rid of the pus. The preparation for the operation started. One day, my wife stood up suddenly and said: “How come you want to undergo a surgery while we have some blessed oil from Brother Estephan’s tomb? Take some of it and rub your hand and you will get healed.” Then she made the sign of the cross on my hand and rubbed my hand with oil. In the morning, I woke up and found my hand safe and sound. It had a little hole where all pus came out. I was healed instantly.”
“I am Sister Clara Abi Habib, daughter of Barbar and Majida Abi Habib. I am a nun at Saint John Monastery in Hrash. I suffered from a kidney infection and hyperalbuminemia that might cause a sever body disorder. I followed many treatments and suffered painfully, despite the drugs. At least ten radiologic tests were made at Hotel Dieu de France Hospital, which revealed that kidneys were secreting pus because of infection. After I lost hope, I visited with a nun, as well as with my parents, the Monastery of Kfifane where lay the body of Brother Estephan Nehme. I had all faith that if I touched him, I would get healed. Indeed, after touching the body, I was healed at the moment. And since, I could eat all kinds of food that were forbidden all over my sickness period. I thank God first and then Brother Estephan who granted me the grace of healing.”
Nassab Salim Tarraf
“I am Georgette, wife of Nakhleh Salim Tarraf, from Hadath. I attest that my daughter, Nassab, 6 years old, suffered from allergic conjunctivitis that caused her pain and ache and she could not sleep at night. Many specialists examined her and all their prescriptions were in vain. Finally, Dr. Samir Slaiby prescribed her an eye drops that I did not even open. I took it straight to the Monastery of Kfifane with all faith to the tomb of Brother Estephan. I swear to God and to my life that when I put on my daughters’ eyes a relic from the tomb, she was healed instantly. This is what I witness in front of God and people. I thank Brother Estephan.”
Elias Abi Jawdeh
“A spot appeared on my right hand and soon disappeared. However, my hand swollen up to the underarm. The veins blew up obviously and I could not articulate my fingers. I rubbed it with many creams but in vain. At last, one doctor advised me to undergo an urgent surgery to get rid of the pus. The preparation for the operation started. One day, my wife stood up suddenly and said: “How come you want to undergo a surgery while we have some blessed oil from Brother Estephan’s tomb? Take some of it and rub your hand and you will get healed.” Then she made the sign of the cross on my hand and rubbed my hand with oil. In the morning, I woke up and found my hand safe and sound. It had a little hole where all pus came out. I was healed instantly.”