✦Saint Charbel
A Monthly Day of Grace

The 22nd of the Month

On the 22nd of every month, pilgrims gather at the Monastery of Saint Maron in Annaya for Mass, procession, and prayer at Saint Charbel's tomb - a monthly tradition born from one woman's healing in 1993. The next one is the 22nd of this month.

Plan a Visit Pray Today's Mystery Read Recorded Testimonies

Why the 22nd?

The tradition traces to Nohad El Shami, a Lebanese mother of twelve. She suffered a stroke on January 9, 1993, and was left partially paralyzed. Her eldest son Saad went to the hermitage at Annaya, appealed to Saint Charbel, and brought back blessed oil and soil from the tomb.

In the night of January 22, 1993, Nohad dreamed that Saint Charbel, accompanied by another monk, performed surgery on her. He told her: "I performed the surgery to help people regain their faith. I ask you to visit my hermitage in Annaya on the 22nd of every month and attend Mass regularly for the rest of your life."

She awoke healed, bearing two small scars on her neck - and she kept that monthly pilgrimage for the rest of her life, until her death in May 2025. Others healed through Saint Charbel's intercession have reported similar dreams of "surgery" in the night.

The 22nd at Annaya

What began as one woman's promise has become a recognized day of devotion. On the 22nd of each month the monastery holds Mass and, weather permitting, a Eucharistic procession, and pilgrims gather in large numbers - Father Louis Matar of the Lebanese Maronite Order, who records the miracles attributed to Saint Charbel, puts the monthly pilgrimage at up to 30,000 people, sometimes 75,000: Christians, Druze, Hindus, and Muslims alike.

Expect crowds, candles, and incense, and a slower line to reach the tomb. For a quieter visit, choose an ordinary weekday; to stand inside the living tradition, choose the 22nd. Practical details are in the pilgrim's guide to visiting Annaya.

Keeping the 22nd at Home

The 22nd can be kept anywhere. A few simple ways:

  • Attend Mass on the 22nd, as Saint Charbel asked of Nohad - many Maronite parishes worldwide now hold a special Mass that day.
  • Pray the Rosary for your intention - today's mystery meditation loads the right mystery with guided audio.
  • Anoint with the holy oil of Saint Charbel, if your family keeps a vial from Annaya: a small cross on the forehead with a short prayer.
  • Light a candle before his image and leave your intention in his hands.
  • Read one recorded miracle aloud from the testimonies page - Nohad's own story is there, in her words.

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