Hello and welcome to St. Stories for Kids, a weekly podcast full of fun stories and facts

about the holy men and women that have come before us.

I'm your host, Shantal Bios.

St. Stories for Kids is brought to you by Shining Light Dolls, everyone's favorite Catholic

toy company, Catholic mom designed, Catholic kid approved.

Discover how you can pass on the faith through proven play-based learning by visiting www.ShiningLightDolls.com

and send them to receive free coloring page printables while you're there.

Today we'll be telling the story of St. Charbel Maclouf, whose feast is celebrated on July 24th.

St. Charbel was born on May 8th, 1828, in Becacafra, Lebanon.

He was one of five children and was raised in a faith-filled home.

As a boy, he tended his family's flock of sheep.

He wanted to spend his days in prayer, so he placed his statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary

into a small grotto in the mountain, and would go there to watch his sheep and pray.

At the age of 23, Charbel left his family and entered the Lebanese Maranite Order

at the monastery of our lady in Mayfouc.

He made his final profession in 1853.

Charbel lived in community for many years, but desired to go live as a hermit at the hermitage

of St. Peter and Paul.

At first his superior did not want him to go, but after witnessing a miracle, the abbot

changed his mind and let Charbel move.

He spent the last 23 years of his life there as a hermit, until his death on Christmas

Eve in 1898.

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