Biography
He was born Youssef Kassab, in 1808 in the village of Hardine, in the North Governorate of Lebanon, one of the seven children of George Kassab and Marium Raad, the daughter of a priest of the Maronite Church.
As a boy, Youssef attended the school run by the monks of the Lebanese Maronite Order at the Monastery of St. Anthony in the village of Houb. After he finished his studies there in 1822, he entered the Monastery of St. Anthony in Qozhaya, entering the novitiate of the Order which had taught him in November 1828, at which time he took the monastic name of Nimatullah, by which he is now known.
As a new monk, Nimatullah was assigned by the abbot of the monastery to learn how to bind books. Yet he spent the period of his initial formation in the monastic life in frequent prayer, sometimes passing the night in prayer in the monastery church, praying to the Blessed Sacrament.
He made his religious profession of vows on 14 November 1830, after which he was sent to the Monastery of Saints Cyprian and Justina in Kfifan, in the Batroun District, to pursue higher studies in preparation for ordination, which took place on Christmas Day 1833.
After ordination, he was assigned by the abbot to teach at the Order's seminary and to be the director of the seminarians. Among his students was a famed member of the Order, St. Sharbel Makhluf, venerated by the entire Catholic Church.
As a monk, Kassab spent his entire life in prayer and the service of his Order. He served on its General Council for most of the period 1845-1858, also serving as Assistant Abbot General during this period by appointment of the Holy See, in addition to his duties in the seminary. He refused, however, to be named Abbot General.
He was severe on himself but a model of patience and forbearance to his fellow monks, to the point where he was reprimanded for his leniency. He bore all this as part of the challenge of monastic life. One of his brothers, who had also entered the monastery and had become a hermit, advised him to seek a similar solitude. Nimatullah declined, saying that community life was the true challenge for a monk.
He fell ill in the winter of 1858, dying after suffering nearly two weeks of high fever on 14 December. In 1864, his tomb was opened for re-burial and, to the surprise of the monks, his body was found to be intact. Such was the reverence with which he was held during his life, that his body was exposed to the veneration of the public until 1927, when a Committee of Inquiry into his possible canonization had completed its work. His body was then buried in a small chapel.
The cause for Kassab's canonization was formally accepted by the Holy See on 7 September 1978 and he was declared Venerable. On 2 May 1996, Bishop Khalil Abi-Nader, retired Bishop of the Maronite Diocese of Beirut, obtained the permission of Cardinal Sfeir to start the investigation of the miracle of Andre Najm.
On 26 September 1996, the Congregation for the Causes of Saints in Rome began to study the miracle. On 27 February 1997, the five-member medical team unanimously voted to accept the cure of Andre Najm as a miracle. On 9 May 1997, the seven-member theological team also voted unanimously to accept the miracle. On 1 July 1997, the General Assembly of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, which includes twenty-four cardinals, accepted the miracle attributed to the intercession of the Servant of God Nimatullah Kassab.
On 7 July 1997, in the presence of Pope John Paul II, the Congregation for the Causes of Saints published the decree accepting the miracle.
Kassab's beatification by Pope John Paul II was held at Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome on Sunday, 10 May 1998. He was later canonized on Sunday, 16 May 2004, by the same pope.[1]
As a boy, Youssef attended the school run by the monks of the Lebanese Maronite Order at the Monastery of St. Anthony in the village of Houb. After he finished his studies there in 1822, he entered the Monastery of St. Anthony in Qozhaya, entering the novitiate of the Order which had taught him in November 1828, at which time he took the monastic name of Nimatullah, by which he is now known.
As a new monk, Nimatullah was assigned by the abbot of the monastery to learn how to bind books. Yet he spent the period of his initial formation in the monastic life in frequent prayer, sometimes passing the night in prayer in the monastery church, praying to the Blessed Sacrament.
He made his religious profession of vows on 14 November 1830, after which he was sent to the Monastery of Saints Cyprian and Justina in Kfifan, in the Batroun District, to pursue higher studies in preparation for ordination, which took place on Christmas Day 1833.
After ordination, he was assigned by the abbot to teach at the Order's seminary and to be the director of the seminarians. Among his students was a famed member of the Order, St. Sharbel Makhluf, venerated by the entire Catholic Church.
As a monk, Kassab spent his entire life in prayer and the service of his Order. He served on its General Council for most of the period 1845-1858, also serving as Assistant Abbot General during this period by appointment of the Holy See, in addition to his duties in the seminary. He refused, however, to be named Abbot General.
He was severe on himself but a model of patience and forbearance to his fellow monks, to the point where he was reprimanded for his leniency. He bore all this as part of the challenge of monastic life. One of his brothers, who had also entered the monastery and had become a hermit, advised him to seek a similar solitude. Nimatullah declined, saying that community life was the true challenge for a monk.
He fell ill in the winter of 1858, dying after suffering nearly two weeks of high fever on 14 December. In 1864, his tomb was opened for re-burial and, to the surprise of the monks, his body was found to be intact. Such was the reverence with which he was held during his life, that his body was exposed to the veneration of the public until 1927, when a Committee of Inquiry into his possible canonization had completed its work. His body was then buried in a small chapel.
The cause for Kassab's canonization was formally accepted by the Holy See on 7 September 1978 and he was declared Venerable. On 2 May 1996, Bishop Khalil Abi-Nader, retired Bishop of the Maronite Diocese of Beirut, obtained the permission of Cardinal Sfeir to start the investigation of the miracle of Andre Najm.
On 26 September 1996, the Congregation for the Causes of Saints in Rome began to study the miracle. On 27 February 1997, the five-member medical team unanimously voted to accept the cure of Andre Najm as a miracle. On 9 May 1997, the seven-member theological team also voted unanimously to accept the miracle. On 1 July 1997, the General Assembly of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, which includes twenty-four cardinals, accepted the miracle attributed to the intercession of the Servant of God Nimatullah Kassab.
On 7 July 1997, in the presence of Pope John Paul II, the Congregation for the Causes of Saints published the decree accepting the miracle.
Kassab's beatification by Pope John Paul II was held at Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome on Sunday, 10 May 1998. He was later canonized on Sunday, 16 May 2004, by the same pope.[1]
Ô mother, divine Virgin Mary,
You filled Saint Nimatullah's heart with great outstanding filial love till your saint name was continuously oh his lips and till he kept praising you night and day. Like him, we promise you to honor you and we greet you with the angelic salutation. We recite your rosary, tasting the sweetness of living under your protection, and contemplate your beauty.[2] |
Miracles
Father Nimatullah is believed to have performed many miracles during his life due to his deep spirituality and his high virtues. He is commended for having a radiant soul and it was said that he was deeply united to his creator. “The Saint of Kfifan” was stated to have the gift of prophesy and hence became known as “a man of vision.”
According to some sources, on one occasion when he was teaching his students and facing a large wall outside the monastery of Kfifan, North Lebanon he had a sense that the wall was suddenly going to fall. Father Nimatullah asked his students to move away just before the wall fell down, sparing all students from injury and death.
Another healing was granted to an Orthodox blind man, Moussa Saliba, from the town of Bteghrine, Mount Lebanon. Moussa Saliba visited Father Nimatullah tomb, praying and asking for his blessing. A deep sleep overcame Moussa Saliba and then Father Nimatullah appeared to him and healed his eyes which enabling him to see clearly.
Another healing occurred to a Melkite man, Mickael Kfoury, from the town Watta El-Mrouge, Lebanon. Mickael had an incurable illness which was attacking both of his legs, which rendered them dry and devoid of flesh to the point of crippling him. His doctors had abandoned all hope of a cure.
Having heard of the miracles that Father Nimatullah was performing this man decided to visit Father Nimatullah’s tomb in Kfifan, North Lebanon and prayed for his healing. He slept the night at the monastery and while he was in deep sleep an old monk appeared to him saying: “Stand up and go and help the monks carry in the grapes from the vineyard.” He immediately replied: “Don’t you see me paralysed, how can I walk and carry the grapes?” The monk answered: “Take this pair of shoes, wear them and walk.”
The sick man then took the shoes and tried to stretch out his right leg and to his surprise he was able to do so. He woke up and started to feel both of his legs which were now full of blood and flesh and after he stood up he found himself totally healed.
On September 26, 1987, Andre Najm accompanied by his family and friends went to visit the monastery of Kfifan, North Lebanon where he prayed fervently at the grave of Father Nimatullah. The people around him heard him say “I beg you, Father Nimatullah, give me a drop of blood for I am so tired to the point where I can’t even beg for blood on the street.”
He then asked to wear the monastic habit, moments later he was cured and cried out with joy, “I wore the monastic habit, I am cured, I don’t need blood anymore!” Andre has not required any blood transfusions since that day and in 1991 he married Rola Salim Raad. They have three children, a son named Charbel and two daughters named Rafca and Maria.[3]
According to some sources, on one occasion when he was teaching his students and facing a large wall outside the monastery of Kfifan, North Lebanon he had a sense that the wall was suddenly going to fall. Father Nimatullah asked his students to move away just before the wall fell down, sparing all students from injury and death.
Another healing was granted to an Orthodox blind man, Moussa Saliba, from the town of Bteghrine, Mount Lebanon. Moussa Saliba visited Father Nimatullah tomb, praying and asking for his blessing. A deep sleep overcame Moussa Saliba and then Father Nimatullah appeared to him and healed his eyes which enabling him to see clearly.
Another healing occurred to a Melkite man, Mickael Kfoury, from the town Watta El-Mrouge, Lebanon. Mickael had an incurable illness which was attacking both of his legs, which rendered them dry and devoid of flesh to the point of crippling him. His doctors had abandoned all hope of a cure.
Having heard of the miracles that Father Nimatullah was performing this man decided to visit Father Nimatullah’s tomb in Kfifan, North Lebanon and prayed for his healing. He slept the night at the monastery and while he was in deep sleep an old monk appeared to him saying: “Stand up and go and help the monks carry in the grapes from the vineyard.” He immediately replied: “Don’t you see me paralysed, how can I walk and carry the grapes?” The monk answered: “Take this pair of shoes, wear them and walk.”
The sick man then took the shoes and tried to stretch out his right leg and to his surprise he was able to do so. He woke up and started to feel both of his legs which were now full of blood and flesh and after he stood up he found himself totally healed.
On September 26, 1987, Andre Najm accompanied by his family and friends went to visit the monastery of Kfifan, North Lebanon where he prayed fervently at the grave of Father Nimatullah. The people around him heard him say “I beg you, Father Nimatullah, give me a drop of blood for I am so tired to the point where I can’t even beg for blood on the street.”
He then asked to wear the monastic habit, moments later he was cured and cried out with joy, “I wore the monastic habit, I am cured, I don’t need blood anymore!” Andre has not required any blood transfusions since that day and in 1991 he married Rola Salim Raad. They have three children, a son named Charbel and two daughters named Rafca and Maria.[3]