 UTICA, New York — St. Louis Gonzaga Church welcomed parishioners and visitors on Thursday, July 16, 2026, for an evening dedicated to Saint Sharbel. The gathering included Mass, a special blessing with the saint’s relic, and an address by Raymond Nader, President of the Family of Saint Sharbel. The church’s pews were filled for the occasion. Near the sanctuary, a large portrait of Saint Sharbel overlooked the gathering as Mr. Nader spoke about the Lebanese saint and the meaning of his witness for Christians today.
Mr. Nader presented Saint Sharbel as a man whose entire life was formed by prayer. He spoke about his early devotion, his decision to enter monastic life, and the demanding years he spent in solitude at the hermitage in Annaya. The account emphasized the saint’s silence, discipline, and unwavering attention to God rather than simply recounting the familiar events of his biography. Raymond then connected Saint Sharbel’s example with his own search for answers. He also shared the spiritual experience he had at Saint Sharbel’s hermitage in 1994, which led him to leave his professional work and dedicate his life to Christian media and evangelization.
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 Raymond Nader, President of the Family of Saint Sharbel (FSS), joined Sacred Treasures with Kathie Duggan on Radio Maria for a two-part conversation airing June 29 and July 6, 2026. The episodes covered the life of Saint Sharbel, the Maronite monk and hermit whose sanctity draws pilgrims and devotees worldwide, alongside Nader's personal encounter with the saint and the impact it has had on his own faith. Discussion also touched on Saint Sharbel's presence in the lives of the faithful today, including the healings and graces many attribute to his intercession, as well as the work of the Family of Saint Sharbel in keeping devotion to the saint alive across the world. Radio Maria began as a small parish radio station in Italy in 1983 and has grown into an international Catholic network dedicated to prayer, evangelization, and Catholic formation, now reaching listeners across dozens of countries, including the United States. Programming centers on the Rosary, the Mass, and the lives of the saints and is delivered through both traditional radio and podcast platforms like Sacred Treasures with Kathie Duggan.
 On Sunday, July 19, 2026, members of the Family of Saint Sharbel (FSS) and invited friends gathered at the FSS Home for "An Evening with Raymond Nader," the first public gathering held at the newly established location. The event, which began at 7:00 PM, drew a full house, including many young attendees. Among those present was Rev. Charles Wilton, invited by an FSS member from his parish.
The Family of Saint Sharbel Home reflected the welcoming, family-oriented spirit it is intended to foster, bringing together Maronite faithful in a setting built for exactly this kind of gathering. FSS looks forward to hosting many more such evenings at the Home in the months ahead.
 GLENDALE, New York -- Devotion to the Lebanese Maronite saint filled St. Pancras Church on July 15th, 2026, as the parish hosted an evening centered on the life and continuing witness of Saint Sharbel Makhlouf. The evening began at 6:00 p.m. with a talk by Raymond Nader, President of the Family of Saint Sharbel. Mr. Nader shared the story of Saint Sharbel's life from his upbringing in Lebanon through his years as a monk and hermit in Annaya. He then talked about his own experience with the saint, recounting his personal encounter with Saint Sharbel and the testimony that has shaped his life since. Finally, he spoke to the message Saint Sharbel continues to offer today: a call to prayer, humility, and interior life. The 7:00 p.m. Holy Mass followed. At the altar, an icon of Saint Sharbel and a cedar-shaped reliquary holding his first-class relic stood side by side, draped in red. The celebrant incensed both together before the relic was formally installed for veneration by the parish. In his homily, Msgr. Aggugia reflects on Saint Sharbel as a window of God’s light. He invited the parish to recognize God’s presence, trust in prayer, and become bearers of that light. Read Msgr. Aggugia’s homily HERE. Blessings with Saint Sharbel's holy oil followed the Mass, with priests anointing the faithful at the altar steps. Many then approached to venerate the relic itself, some kneeling in prayer before it, others pausing to touch or kiss the reliquary as they filed past. The relic remains at St. Pancras Church, where the faithful are welcome to return and venerate it during regular parish hours.
 LULING, Louisiana -- St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church welcomed a first-class relic of Saint Sharbel Makhlouf on Sunday, July 12, 2026, during a special event dedicated to prayer, veneration, and reflection on the spiritual message of the Lebanese Maronite saint. The gathering began with the Holy Rosary at 10:30 a.m., followed by the installation of the relic on a side altar in the church. The celebration continued with the 11:00 a.m. Holy Mass.
In his homily, Deacon Mike Fabre reflected on the Parable of the Sower and the different ways people receive the Word of God. He presented Saint Sharbel as an example of someone who carefully cultivated the “soil” of his soul through prayer, sacrifice, obedience, work, and detachment from worldly recognition. Following the Mass, Eucharistic adoration was held in the chapel. The holy oil of Saint Sharbel was then administered before the public veneration of the relic began inside the church. The faithful formed a long line, approaching individually and as families to venerate the relic. Many touched or kissed the reliquary, made the Sign of the Cross, and paused in prayer. An image and a statue of Saint Sharbel were also displayed near the altar, creating a dedicated setting for personal devotion. A reception with a light lunch followed the veneration, offering those present an opportunity to gather in fellowship. After the reception, Raymond Nader, President of the Family of Saint Sharbel, gave a talk titled “Saint Sharbel Today.” He briefly recounted the saint’s life, from his childhood in Lebanon to his years as a monk, priest, and hermit in Annaya, and spoke about the miracles and spiritual graces associated with Saint Sharbel’s intercession. Mr. Nader also shared parts of his own spiritual journey, including the experience at Saint Sharbel’s hermitage in 1994 that led him to dedicate his life to Christian media and to spreading the saint’s message. The relic is now located at the altar of the Our Lady of Guadalupe Healing Chapel, where everyone is welcome to venerate it during chapel hours.  |
Publishing DepartmentThe Family of Saint Sharbel has established a new Publishing Department. More
ProjectsLearn about our ongoing projects to help introduce Saint Sharbel and the Maronite spirituality to the English speaking communities. Check out our YouTube Channels
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