Meet Saint Charbel - The Saint I'm Interceding to This Pregnancy
When I was pregnant with Maeve, I prayed to Saint Michael every day, asking him to intercede for us to the Father for a safe pregnancy. Maeve’s pregnancy was the first pregnancy after Marion, and St. Michael’s friendship was an incredible consolation , especially during the first trimester.
Read more: Overcoming fear in pregnancy after a loss
A few weeks ago, as soon as we found out we were expecting again (due in March!), I started praying to Saint Michael again. But I was on the lookout for another saint to add to the litany for this little baby.
Who is Saint Charbel?
I first heard about Saint Charbel while doing research for an article over at Epic Pew. a year a go. Then, I was re-introduced to him while editing a piece by an author over at Catholic Singles. Before I knew it, he started following me - has that ever happened to you? Often, I’ve found that our patron saints pick us, not the other way around.
Charbel’s feast day is July 24th, and that day, quotes from him appeared in a few books I was reading. Friends quoted him to me. Articles about him filled my social media feed. I knew he was the saint we would adopt as a special intercessor for the littlest Langr - he’d chosen us.
Charbel was a Maronite monk and priest who lived in Lebanon. The Christian community in Lebanon remembers the holy man for his miraculous healings and desire to unite Christians and Muslims.
Inspired by Saint Maron, Charbel lived as a hermit. He spent his time in prayer, and was incredibly devoted to the Eucharist. You can learn more about his life here.
There are over 26,000 miracles attributed to the intercession of Charbel since his death on Christmas Eve in 1898. You could say he has a bit of a track record! Will you join me in interceding to Saint Charbel for a full term, healthy pregnancy and a smooth labor with no complications? Here’s my favorite prayer I’ve found for his intercession:
Lord, infinitely Holy and Glorified in Your Saints, You have inspired Charbel, the saint monk, to lead the perfect life of a hermit. We thank You for granting him the blessing and the strength to detach himself from the world so that the heroism of the monastic virtues of poverty, obedience, and chastity, could triumph in his hermitage. We beseech You to grant us the grace of loving and serving You, following his example. Almighty God, Who has manifested the power of St. Charbel’s intercession through his countless miracles and favors, grant us … [Mention your intention here] through his intercession. Amen. Saint Charbel, pray for us!
Want to learn more about discerning pregnancy after loss and finding confidence and trust in God? Listen to this episode of Letters to Women with Laura Kelly Fanucci. She’s a mother, writer, and wonderer who has been an incredible resource to me during every pregnancy!