Nimatullah Kassab facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Saint Nimatullah Kassab O.L.M.
Portrait of Saint Nimatullah Kassab at prayer.
Religious, Priest and Confessor
Born	Nimatullah Youssef Kassab Al-Hardini 1808 Hardine, Mount Lebanon Emirate
Died	14 December 1858 Monastery of Saints Cyprian and Justina Kfifan, Batroun District, Lebanon
Venerated in	Catholic Church
Beatified	10 May 1998, Saint Peter's Basilica, Vatican City by Pope John Paul II
Canonized	16 May 2004, Saint Peter's Basilica, Vatican City by Pope John Paul II
Major shrine	Monastery of Saints Cyprian and Justina Kfifan, Batroun District, Lebanon
Feast	14 December
Attributes	Religious habit Prayer rope
Patronage	Beirut, Lebanon

Nimatullah Kassab (1808 – 14 December 1858) was a Lebanese monk and priest. He belonged to the Lebanese Maronite Order. People also knew him as "Al-Hardini" because of his hometown. The Catholic Church has declared him a saint.

Life Story of Saint Nimatullah

His Early Life

Nimatullah Kassab was born in 1808. His birth name was Youssef Kassab. He grew up in a village called Hardine in Lebanon. He was one of seven children. His parents were George Kassab and Marium Raad. Marium's father was a priest in the Maronite Church.

As a boy, Youssef went to school. Monks from the Lebanese Maronite Order ran the school. It was at the Monastery of St. Anthony in Houb. After finishing school in 1822, he joined the monks. In November 1828, he entered the monastery in Qozhaya. This is when he chose his new name, Nimatullah. This name means "the grace of God."

Becoming a Monk

When Nimatullah became a monk, he learned how to bind books. He spent a lot of time praying. Sometimes, he would pray all night in the church. He prayed to the Blessed Sacrament. On November 14, 1830, he made his official vows as a monk.

After this, he went to another monastery. This was the Monastery of Saints Cyprian and Justina in Kfifan. There, he studied more to become a priest. He became a priest on Christmas Day in 1833. Nimatullah Al-Hardini also started free schools in Kfifan and Bhersaf.

After becoming a priest, he taught at the monastery's seminary. He also guided the students who were studying to become priests. One of his famous students was Charbel Makhlouf. Charbel is also a saint honored by the Catholic Church.

Nimatullah spent his whole life praying and serving his order. He was part of the order's main council for many years. He also served as an Assistant Abbot General. But he never wanted to be the main Abbot General.

He was very strict with himself. Yet, he was very patient and kind to other monks. He believed that living in a community was the real test for a monk.

His Passing Away

In the winter of 1858, Nimatullah became very sick. He had a high fever for almost two weeks. He passed away on December 14, 1858.

In 1864, his tomb was opened. The monks were surprised to find his body still intact. People respected him so much that his body was shown to the public. This continued until 1927. Then, his body was buried in a small chapel.

Amazing Miracles

People believe Nimatullah performed many miracles. This was because of his strong faith and good character. They said he had a bright soul and was very close to God. He was known as "the Saint of Kfifan." People also said he could see the future.

• Once, he was teaching his students near a large wall. He suddenly felt that the wall was going to fall. He quickly told his students to move away. Just in time, the wall fell down. Everyone was safe!

• Another time, he knew that the barn for the monastery's cows was going to collapse. Cows were very important to the monastery back then. Nimatullah asked the monk in charge to move the cows. The monk hesitated at first. But Nimatullah insisted. After the cows were moved, the barn roof fell. No cows were hurt!

Healing the Altar Boy

One day, Nimatullah wanted to celebrate Mass. But his altar boy was not there. Nimatullah went to the boy's room. He found the boy had a high fever. Nimatullah told the boy to stand up. Then, he commanded the sickness to leave him. Right away, the boy was well! He happily served Mass for Nimatullah.

The Full Provisions Box

At the monastery of El-Kattara, the food box was almost empty. It held wheat and other foods. Nimatullah prayed over it and blessed it. Soon, the box filled up and even overflowed! Everyone was amazed and thanked God.

Even when he was alive, people thought Nimatullah was a saint. They often asked him to pray for them. They even asked him to bless water for their land and animals. His presence always brought a feeling of respect and calm.

Moussa Saliba's Sight

After Nimatullah's death, many people were healed. They believed God granted these healings through Nimatullah. One such healing happened to a blind man named Moussa Saliba. He visited Nimatullah's tomb. He prayed and asked for a blessing. Moussa fell into a deep sleep. Nimatullah appeared to him and healed his eyes. Moussa could see clearly again!

Michael Kfoury's Legs

Another miracle happened to a man named Mickael Kfoury. He had a serious illness in both his legs. They became dry and twisted. Doctors had given up hope.

Mickael heard about Nimatullah's miracles. He decided to visit Nimatullah's tomb in Kfifan. He spent the night there. While he was sleeping, an old monk appeared to him. The monk said, "Stand up and help the monks carry grapes from the vineyard." Mickael replied, "I am paralyzed! How can I walk?" The monk said, "Take these shoes, wear them and walk." Mickael took the shoes. He tried to stretch his right leg, and he could! He woke up and felt his legs. They were full of blood and flesh again. He stood up and was completely healed.

Andre Najm's Healing

On September 26, 1987, Andre Najm visited Nimatullah's grave. He prayed very hard. People heard him say, "Father Al-Hardini, please give me a drop of blood. I am so tired." Andre needed regular blood transfusions. He then asked to wear the monk's robe. Moments later, he was cured! He cried out, "I wore the monastic habit, I am cured, I don't need blood anymore!" Andre has not needed blood transfusions since that day. He later married and had three children. Today, Andre is healthy and has become a Maronite priest.

Becoming a Saint

The process to make Nimatullah a saint began on September 7, 1978. He was then called Venerable. On May 2, 1996, an investigation started for Andre Najm's miracle.

On September 26, 1996, a group in Rome studied the miracle. On February 27, 1997, a medical team agreed it was a miracle. On May 9, 1997, a team of theologians also agreed. On July 1, 1997, a larger group of cardinals accepted the miracle.

On July 7, 1997, Pope John Paul II approved the miracle.

Pope John Paul II officially declared Nimatullah "Blessed" (beatification). This happened at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome on May 10, 1998. He was later declared a "Saint" (canonization) on May 16, 2004, by the same Pope.

The Maronite Church celebrates his feast day every year on December 14.

See also

In Spanish: Nemetala Al-Hardini para niños