QUIAPO, MANILA — August 19, 2026, was a momentous day and deeply spiritual occasion for the devotees of Jesus Nazareno in Quiapo Church, the community welcomed the holy relic and anointing oil of St. Sharbel Makhlouf, the renowned Lebanese hermit and miracle-working saint.
The Holy Relic and Anointing Oil of St. Sharbel were brought all the way from Lebanon by Rev. Fr. Hans Magdurulang, Parish Priest of Our Lady of Assumption Church, in Malate, Manila.
The visit began with a Welcome Mass celebrated by Rev. Fr. Ramon Jade L. Licuanan, Rector and Parish Priest of the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno – St. John the Baptist Parish. In his homily, Fr. Jade emphasized the destructive nature of envy and pride in a person’s life. He reminded the faithful that these attitudes can affect not only one’s spiritual well-being but also one’s relationship with others. He presented St. Sharbel as a powerful example of the opposite virtues: simplicity, humility, silence, prayer, and complete trust in God.
St. Sharbel lived a simple life, far from worldly recognition and comfort. His deep humility and unwavering faith became a testimony to how a life completely surrendered to God can become an instrument of grace and blessing to others.
St. Sharbel Makhlouf (1828–1898) was a Lebanese hermit born Joseph Makhlouf into a poor family in a remote village in Lebanon, near the famous cedars of Lebanon.
As a young man, he worked as a shepherd and spent much of his time in prayer and meditation, including periods of solitude in a cave.
In 1851, he entered the Maronite monastery of Our Lady of Maifouk and took the religious name Sharbel, after a second-century Syrian martyr.
He was ordained a priest in 1859. Following the spiritual tradition of the Desert Fathers, he eventually moved to a small hermitage belonging to the monastery. The hermitage consisted of four tiny cells and a chapel.
Food was brought to him only once a day from the monastery. For more than two decades, St. Sharbel lived a life of solitude, simplicity, prayer, and sacrifice. At the heart of his daily spiritual life was the Holy Eucharist.
His reputation for wisdom and holiness attracted many people who sought his spiritual guidance, prayers, and healing.
St. Sharbel died on Christmas Eve in 1898. According to accounts surrounding his remains, his body was found to have remained incorrupt, and a fragrant substance or oil was reported to have flowed from it.
Because of his extraordinary reputation for holiness and the numerous miracles attributed to his intercession, St. Sharbel was canonized by Pope St. John Paul II in 1977. Thousands of reported miracles have since been attributed to his intercession.
Immediately following the Welcome Mass, a Healing Service was conducted, giving devotees the opportunity to pray for healing and receive the Anointing Oil of St. Sharbel.
Hundreds of faithful came to Quiapo Church to venerate the holy relic and participate in the prayerful celebration.
For many devotees, the entire day became a meaningful spiritual journey—a time for prayer, meditation, reflection, and renewed faith. The presence of the relic also reminded the faithful that devotion to the saints is ultimately an invitation to draw closer to God, following the example of a life dedicated to Christ.
During the Farewell Mass, Rev. Fr. Hans Magdurulang shared three important lessons that the faithful can learn from the life of St. Sharbel:
First, love for the Holy Eucharist.
The Eucharist was at the center of St. Sharbel’s spiritual life. His deep devotion reminds Christians of the importance of placing Christ at the center of their daily lives.
Second, a life of simplicity.
St. Sharbel chose a life free from worldly distractions and material comforts. His simplicity allowed him to focus more deeply on God and his vocation.
Third, a life of prayer.
Prayer was the foundation of St. Sharbel’s life. His years of solitude and silence became a testimony to the power of prayer and complete trust in God’s will.
The celebration concluded with the final Anointing with the Holy Oil and the last Veneration of the Holy Relic, marking the end of the holy visit to Quiapo.
Fr. Hans Magdurulang invited everyone who attended the celebration to visit Our Lady of Assumption Church in Malate every 22nd of the month at 8:00 a.m. for the healing service and free anointing with St. Sharbel’s oil.
The visit of St. Sharbel’s holy relic to Quiapo was more than an opportunity to venerate a sacred relic. It became a spiritual invitation for everyone to rediscover the essential virtues of Christian life: love for the Eucharist, simplicity, prayer, humility, and trust in God.
The successful and orderly celebration was also made possible through the dedicated service of the MBBN officers and members. Throughout the day, the MBBN team assisted the priests, parishioners, and devotees, helping facilitate the Healing Service, veneration, and movement of the faithful in an organized and respectful manner.
The visit of the holy relic of St. Sharbel Makhlouf to Quiapo ultimately became a day filled with faith, prayer, healing, humility, and unity.
It was a beautiful reminder that in a world often filled with noise, pride, and distractions, a life of simplicity, prayer, and humility can become a powerful witness to God’s love.
Viva San Sharbel Makhlouf!
Pray for us!
-Alvin Rafio,OFS HDN-MBBN | Quiapo Article Writer
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