Manila, Philippines —A first-class relic of St. Sharbel Makhlouf arrived from Annaya, Lebanon, accompanied by Fr. Hans Magdurulang, Spiritual Director of the Family of St. Sharbel Philippines and priest in charge of the pilgrim relic in the Philippines.
A welcome Mass was held last March 1, 2026 at Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Leveriza, Malate, where thousands of faithful flocked to attend the Holy Mass and venerate to the sacred relic. Despite the overwhelming and surprising turnout, Fr. Magdurulang and parish volunteers successfully distributed small amounts of blessed oil associated with St. Sharbel. The overwhelming response extended the distribution and veneration for more than eight hours.
During one of his Pilgrim Masses, Fr. Magdurulang emphasized that God sends St. Sharbel to inspire believers and help them give their “yes” to God. He highlighted that the true purpose of the devotion:
“More than the healing of our body is the healing of our soul, mind, and heart… It is faith in God that will heal and save you.”
St. Sharbel is widely known as the “Padre Pio of the East” due to his remarkable life as a Maronite monk, spending 23 years in a hermitage. Today, he is celebrated for his incorrupt body and over 33,000 documented miracles and healings attributed to his intercession.
Some of the most widely recognized miracles include:
- Nohad El Shami (1993): Suffering from partial paralysis, she dreamt of two Maronite monks operating on her beside. Upon waking, she discovered two surgical wounds on her neck and realized she was completely healed.
- Raymond Nader: A Maronite Christian who experienced a miraculous physical touch during a state of deep prayer and meditation in St. Sharbel’s home in Annaya, Lebanon. He recalled:
“Near the statue of Saint Sharbel, I felt something hot on my left arm. It itched and I thought something bit me. My arm was getting warmer while the rest of my body was cold. I got to the car, took off my sweater and rolled up my sleeve—I saw the imprint of five fingers on my forearm.”
Today, Our Lady of the Assumption Parish holds a healing Mass on the 22nd of every month in honor of St. Sharbel. The pilgrim relic is also touring various Dioceses and Parishes across the Philippines to spread devotion to the Saint and bring the intentions of the faithful closer to God through his intercession.
Spiritual Resolution
As we welcome the “Miracle Monk” into our hearts and communities, let us renew our commitment to the path of holiness he walked. Let us commit ourselves to:
The Sacrament of Confession: To seek the “healing of the soul” that Fr. Magdurulang highlighted as the true purpose of our devotion.
Eucharistic Adoration: To emulate St. Sharbel’s deep love for the Real Presence, finding in the silence of the Tabernacle the strength for our daily crosses.
The Holy Rosary: To join our prayers with those of the Blessed Mother, whom St. Sharbel loved with a filial devotion.
The Holy Mass: To participate in the Holy Sacrifice with the same reverence St. Sharbel showed, recognizing it as the source of all healing and grace.
Sacred Scripture: To meditate on the Word of God, allowing it to be the “lamp for our feet” as we navigate our own spiritual journeys.
For dioceses or parishes interested in hosting the Pilgrim Relic of St. Sharbel: You may reach out to Fr. Hans Magdurulang via their official Facebook page: thefamilyofsaintsharbelphilippines.
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