Saint Sharbel's Relic Finds a Home at St. Pancras Church in Glendale

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.
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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.