Saint Charbel Makhlouf — Catholic Saint of the Lebanese Diaspora

Saint Charbel Makhlouf (Arabic: مار شربل مخلوف, 1828–1898) is a Lebanese Maronite monk, hermit, and priest — one of the greatest saints of the Maronite Catholic Church. He was canonised by Pope Paul VI on 9 October 1977. His feast day is 24 July. Saint Charbel is among the most prayed-to saints in the Lebanese Catholic tradition and is beloved throughout Sydney’s Maronite community.

Who Was St Charbel?

Born Youssef Antoun Makhlouf in Bekaa Kafra, north Lebanon, Saint Charbel entered the Maronite monastic order and spent the last 23 years of his life as a hermit at the Annaya Hermitage. He was known for extreme asceticism, mystical gifts, and devotion to the Eucharist. After his death in 1898, his body remained incorrupt, and thousands of healings have been attributed to his intercession.

St Charbel in Sydney

Sydney hosts one of the largest Lebanese Catholic communities outside Lebanon. St Charbel’s Church in Punchbowl — dedicated in 1994 — is a major Maronite pilgrimage site in Australia. His feast day on 24 July is widely celebrated across Western Sydney. The Lebanese Maronite community in Sydney is concentrated in Parramatta, Harris Park, Bankstown, Liverpool, Merrylands, and Auburn.

St Charbel Apparel from Halo Apparel

Halo Apparel creates faith-inspired streetwear featuring St Charbel — hoodies, tees, hats, track pants, and acrylic stands that let Sydney’s Catholic and Maronite community wear their devotion every day.

Shop St Charbel Collection → | All Catholic Clothing Sydney →