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Nimatullah Kassab O.L.M., also known as "Al-Hardini" in reference to his birth village, (1808 – 14 December 1858) was a Lebanese
monk A monk (, from el, μοναχός, ''monachos'', "single, solitary" via Latin ) is a person who practices religious asceticism by monastic living, either alone or with any number of other monks. A monk may be a person who decides to dedica ...
,
priest A priest is a religious leader authorized to perform the sacred rituals of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and one or more deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particu ...
and scholar of the
Maronite Church The Maronite Church is an Eastern Catholic ''sui iuris'' particular church in full communion with the pope and the worldwide Catholic Church, with self-governance under the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches. The current head of the Maro ...
. He has been declared a saint by the
Catholic Church The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.3 billion baptized Catholics worldwide . It is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions, and has played a ...
.Vatican News Service
/ref>


Life


Early life

He was born Youssef Kassab, in 1808 in the village of
Hardine Hardîne ( ar, حردين), sometimes written Ḩardīn, is a village in Batroun District, North Lebanon Governorate, Lebanon. Notable structures include the Temple of Mercury, severely damaged by an earthquake, and several Christian churches an ...
, in the
North Governorate North Governorate ( ar, الشمال, ') (Lebanese pr. ''eš šmél'') (French: Gouvernorat du Liban-Nord) is one of the governorates of Lebanon. Its capital is Tripoli. Ramzi Nohra has been its governor since May 2, 2014. The population of North ...
of
Lebanon Lebanon ( , ar, لُبْنَان, translit=lubnān, ), officially the Republic of Lebanon () or the Lebanese Republic, is a country in Western Asia. It is located between Syria to the north and east and Israel to the south, while Cyprus li ...
, one of the seven children of George Kassab and Marium Raad, the daughter of a priest of the Maronite Church.Lebanese Maronite Order The Baladites, formally known as the Lebanese Maronite Order (; abbreviated OLM), is a monastic order among the Levant-based, Catholic Maronite Church, which from the beginning has been specifically a monastic Church. The order was founded in 16 ...
at the Monastery of
St. Anthony Saint Anthony, Antony, or Antonius most often refers to Anthony of Padua, also known as Saint Anthony of Lisbon, the patron saint of lost things. This name may also refer to: People * Anthony of Antioch (266–302), Martyr under Diocletian. Feast ...
in the village of Houb. After he finished his studies there in 1822, he entered the Monastery of St. Anthony in
Qozhaya Qozhaya ( syr, ܕܝܪܐ ܕܡܪܝ ܐܢܛܘܢܝܘܣ ܩܘܙܚܝܐ, ar, دير مار أنطونيوس قزحيا), also transliterated Qazahya is located in the Zgharta District in the North Governorate of Lebanon. It belongs to the Lebanese Maron ...
, entering the
novitiate The novitiate, also called the noviciate, is the period of training and preparation that a Christian ''novice'' (or ''prospective'') monastic, apostolic, or member of a religious order undergoes prior to taking vows in order to discern whether ...
of the Order which had taught him in November 1828, at which time he took the monastic name of Nimatullah, which means "the grace of God"."Saint Nimatullah Hardini", Maronite Heritage
/ref>


Monk

As a new monk, Kassab was assigned by the
abbot Abbot is an ecclesiastical title given to the male head of a monastery in various Western religious traditions, including Christianity. The office may also be given as an honorary title to a clergyman who is not the head of a monastery. The fem ...
of the monastery to learn how to bind books. He spent the period of his initial formation in the monastic life in frequent prayer, sometimes passing the night in prayer in the monastery church, praying to the
Blessed Sacrament The Blessed Sacrament, also Most Blessed Sacrament, is a devotional name to refer to the body and blood of Christ in the form of consecrated sacramental bread and wine at a celebration of the Eucharist. The term is used in the Latin Church of the ...
. Kassab made his
religious profession In the Catholic Church, a religious profession is the solemn admission of men or women into consecrated life by means of the pronouncement of religious vows, typically the evangelical counsels. Usage The 1983 Code of Canon Law defines the te ...
of vows on 14 November 1830, after which he was sent to the Monastery of Saints Cyprian and Justina in Kfifan, in the
Batroun District Batroun District ( ar, البترون) is a district (''qadaa'') in the North Governorate, Lebanon, south of Tripoli. The capital is Batroun. Cities and towns * Abdelleh * Abrine * Assia *Batroun * Basbina *Bchaaleh *Beit Chlala * Beit Kassab * ...
, to pursue higher studies in preparation for
ordination Ordination is the process by which individuals are Consecration, consecrated, that is, set apart and elevated from the laity class to the clergy, who are thus then authorization, authorized (usually by the religious denomination, denominational ...
, which took place on
Christmas Day Christmas is an annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, observed primarily on December 25 as a religious and cultural celebration among billions of people around the world. A feast central to the Christian liturgical year, ...
1833. Nimatullah Al-Hardini founded a free school in Kifkan and later in Bhersaf. After ordination, he was assigned by the abbot to teach at the order's seminary and to be the director of the seminarians. Among his students was a famed member of the order,
Charbel Makhlouf Charbel Makhlouf, Lebanese Maronite Order, O.L.M. ( ar, شربل مخلوف, May 8, 1828 – December 24, 1898), born Youssef Antoun Makhlouf and venerated as Saint Charbel, was a Maronite Church, Maronite monk and priesthood (Catholic Church), p ...
, venerated by the entire Catholic Church. As a monk, Kassab spent his entire life in prayer and the service of his order. He served on its general council for most of the period 1845–1858, also serving as Assistant Abbot General by appointment of the
Holy See The Holy See ( lat, Sancta Sedes, ; it, Santa Sede ), also called the See of Rome, Petrine See or Apostolic See, is the jurisdiction of the Pope in his role as the bishop of Rome. It includes the apostolic episcopal see of the Diocese of Rome ...
, in addition to his duties in the seminary. He refused, however, to be named Abbot General. He was severe on himself but a model of patience and forbearance to his fellow monks, to the point where he was reprimanded for his leniency. He bore all this as part of the challenge of monastic life. One of his brothers, who had also entered the monastery and had become a hermit, advised him to seek a similar solitude. Kassab declined, saying that community life was the true challenge for a monk.


Death

Kassab fell ill in the winter of 1858, dying after suffering nearly two weeks of high fever on 14 December. In 1864, his tomb was opened for re-burial and, to the surprise of the monks, his body was found to be intact. Such was the reverence with which he was held during his life, that his body was exposed to the
veneration Veneration ( la, veneratio; el, τιμάω ), or veneration of saints, is the act of honoring a saint, a person who has been identified as having a high degree of sanctity or holiness. Angels are shown similar veneration in many religions. Etymo ...
of the public until 1927, when a Committee of Inquiry into his possible canonization had completed its work. His body was then buried in a small chapel.


Miracles

Kassab is believed to have performed many miracles during his life due to his deep spirituality and his high virtues. He is commended for having a radiant soul, and it was said that he was deeply united to his creator. ''"The Saint of Kfifan"'' was stated to have the gift of prophesy and hence became known as "a man of vision." * According to some sources, on one occasion when he was teaching his students and facing a large wall outside the monastery of Kfifan, he had a sense that the wall was suddenly going to fall. Thereupon, he asked his students to move away just before the wall fell down, sparing all present from injury. * On another occasion, according to Maronite folklore, Kassab was divinely made aware that the barn where the cows of the monastery of Kfifan were kept was going to collapse on them (cows were then considered to be vital assets of the monastery). Kassab asked the monk in charge to change the place of the cows. At first the monk hesitated, but Kassab insisted and urged him to do so. After the cows were removed the roof of the barn collapsed while none of the cows were lost.


Healing of the Altar Boy

On another occasion, it is believed Kassab wanted to celebrate his daily Mass but his usual altar boy did not arrive at church on time. Kassab then went to the boy's room and asked him to get up and serve mass. The altar boy was not able to because he had a high fever. Kassab then requested the boy to stand up, whereupon he ordered the malady to "Leave him..." Immediately, the boy was cured and he went and served Kassab's mass with joy and liveliness.


Provisions Box

Kassab was thought to have once prayed over and blessed the provisions' box (which contained wheat and other foodstuffs) at the monastery of El-Kattara which was almost empty. After a little while the box was filled and spilled over. Everyone was stunned and praised God at what they saw. While still alive, his fellow monks and the ordinary people who knew him considered Kassab to be a saint. Often they would come asking him to pray for them and even bless water to be used on their land and for their livestock. His presence always imposed a special respect, reverence and solemnity.


Moussa Saliba

According to the Catholic communion, after his death, God granted many healings and miracles through the intercession of the "Saint of Kfifan." One such healing was supposedly granted to an Orthodox blind man, Moussa Saliba, from the town of
Bteghrine Bteghrine ( ar, بتغرين, also spelled Bteghrin and Btighrin) is a municipality in the Matn District of the Mount Lebanon Governorate of Lebanon. Etymology The exact origin of the town name ''Bteghrine'' is unknown, but possibilities inclu ...
(El-Maten). Moussa Saliba visited Kassab's tomb, praying and asking for his blessing. A deep sleep overcame Moussa Saliba, and then Kassab appeared to him and healed his eyes, enabling him to see clearly.


Michael Kfoury

Another miracle apparently occurred to a
Melkite The term Melkite (), also written Melchite, refers to various Eastern Christianity, Eastern Christian churches of the Byzantine Rite and their members originating in the Middle East. The term comes from the common Central Semitic Semitic root, ro ...
man, Mickael Kfoury, from the town Watta El-Mrouge. An incurable illness was attacking both of his legs, which rendered them dry, devoid of flesh, and twisted to the point of crippling him. His doctors had abandoned all hope of a cure. Having heard of the miracles that Kassab was performing this man decided to visit Kassab's tomb in Kfifan and ask for his healing. He slept the night at the monastery, and while he was in deep sleep an old monk appeared to him saying: "Stand up and go and help the monks carry in the grapes from the vineyard." He immediately replied: "Don't you see me paralysed, how can I walk and carry the grapes?" The monk answered: "Take this pair of shoes, wear them and walk." The sick man then took the shoes and tried to stretch out his right leg, and, to his surprise, he was able to do so. He woke up and started to feel both of his legs which were now full of blood and flesh, and after he stood up he found himself totally healed.


Andre Najm

According to other sources in the church; on September 26, 1987, Andre accompanied family and friends to the monastery of Kfifane where he prayed fervently at the grave of Kassab. The people around him heard him say "I beg you, Fr. Al-Hardini, give me a drop of blood for I am so tired to the point where I can't even beg for blood on the street." He then asked to wear the monastic habit, moments later he was cured, and cried out with joy, "I wore the monastic habit, I am cured, I don't need blood anymore!" Andre has not required any
blood transfusion Blood transfusion is the process of transferring blood products into a person's circulation intravenously. Transfusions are used for various medical conditions to replace lost components of the blood. Early transfusions used whole blood, but mo ...
s since that day, and in 1991 he married Rola Salim Raad. They have three children, a son named Charbel and two daughters named Rafca and Maria. Today, Andre is in excellent health and has become a Maronite priest.


Veneration

The cause for Kassab's canonization was formally accepted by the Holy See on 7 September 1978 and he was declared
Venerable The Venerable (''venerabilis'' in Latin) is a style, a title, or an epithet which is used in some Western Christian churches, or it is a translation of similar terms for clerics in Eastern Orthodoxy and monastics in Buddhism. Christianity Cathol ...
. On 2 May 1996, Bishop
Khalil Abi-Nader Khalil Abi-Nader (born December 6, 1921, in Mtein, Lebanon – died on June 14, 2009) was an Archeparch of the Maronite Catholic Archeparchy of Beirut. Biography Life Khalil Abi Nader came from the well-known Lebanese family Abi Nader and was b ...
, retired Bishop of the Maronite Diocese of Beirut, obtained the permission of Cardinal Sfeir to start the investigation of the miracle of Andre Najm. On 26 September 1996, the
Congregation for the Causes of Saints In the Catholic Church, the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, previously named the Congregation for the Causes of Saints (), is the dicastery of the Roman Curia that oversees the complex process that leads to the canonization of saints, pa ...
in Rome began to study the miracle. On 27 February 1997, the five-member medical team unanimously voted to accept the cure of Andre Najm as a miracle. On 9 May 1997, the seven-member theological team also voted unanimously to accept the miracle. On 1 July 1997, the General Assembly of the
Congregation for the Causes of Saints In the Catholic Church, the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, previously named the Congregation for the Causes of Saints (), is the dicastery of the Roman Curia that oversees the complex process that leads to the canonization of saints, pa ...
, which includes twenty-four cardinals, accepted the miracle attributed to the intercession of Kassab. On 7 July 1997, in the presence of
Pope John Paul II Pope John Paul II ( la, Ioannes Paulus II; it, Giovanni Paolo II; pl, Jan Paweł II; born Karol Józef Wojtyła ; 18 May 19202 April 2005) was the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 1978 until his ...
, the Congregation for the Causes of Saints published the decree accepting the miracle. Kassab's
beatification Beatification (from Latin ''beatus'', "blessed" and ''facere'', "to make”) is a recognition accorded by the Catholic Church of a deceased person's entrance into Heaven and capacity to intercede on behalf of individuals who pray in their nam ...
by Pope John Paul II was held at
Saint Peter's Basilica The Papal Basilica of Saint Peter in the Vatican ( it, Basilica Papale di San Pietro in Vaticano), or simply Saint Peter's Basilica ( la, Basilica Sancti Petri), is a church built in the Renaissance style located in Vatican City, the papal e ...
in Rome on Sunday, 10 May 1998."Saint Nimatullah Kassab al Hardini", Our Lady of Good Help, Maronite Catholic Church of Edmonton
/ref> He was later
canonized Canonization is the declaration of a deceased person as an officially recognized saint, specifically, the official act of a Christianity, Christian communion declaring a person worthy of Cult (religious practice), public veneration and enterin ...
on Sunday, 16 May 2004, by the same pope. The Maronite Church celebrates his feast day on December 14.


References


External links


Life of St. Hardini on YouTube (English subtitle movie)Saints.SQPNSantiebeatiCatholic Online
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kassab, Nimatullah 1808 births 1858 deaths Lebanese Maronites Eastern Catholic monks Eastern Catholic priests Lebanese Maronite saints Catholic devotions 19th-century Christian clergy 19th-century Christian saints Venerated Catholics by Pope John Paul II