Saint Nimatullah (Joseph
Kassab al-Hardini)
Prêtre de l'Ordre
libanais maronite (+ 1858)
Béatifié en 1998, canonisé le 16 mai 2004 par Jean-Paul II.
"Homme de Dieu et homme de science, Al-Hardini passa toute sa vie comme pasteur d'âmes et professeur de théologie. Il fut reconnu dès son vivant comme le 'saint' de Kfifane. Durant les événements tourmentés du pays et le désordre dans l'Ordre, Nimatullah apprit patiemment à découvrir l'amour comme un don de soi dans la souffrance."
(biographie - site du Vatican Nimatullah Kassab Al-Hardini - 1808-1858)
"Homme de prière, amoureux de l'Eucharistie qu'il aimait adorer longuement, saint Nimatullah Kassab Al-Hardini est un exemple pour les moines de l'Ordre libanais maronite comme pour ses frères libanais et pour tous les chrétiens du monde. Il s'est donné totalement au Seigneur dans une vie de grand renoncement, montrant que l'amour de Dieu est la seule véritable source de joie et de bonheur pour l'homme. Il s'est attaché à chercher et à suivre le Christ, son Maître et Seigneur. Accueillant à ses frères, il a soulagé et guéri beaucoup de blessures dans les cœurs de ses contemporains, leur témoignant la miséricorde de Dieu. Puisse son exemple éclairer notre route, susciter chez les jeunes en particulier un vrai désir de Dieu et de la sainteté, pour annoncer à notre monde la lumière de l'Evangile!"
(Homélie du Pape Jean-Paul II )
À Klifane au Liban, en 1858, saint Nimatullah (Joseph Kassab al-Hardini),
prêtre de l'Ordre libanais maronite, qui s'appliqua à la formation théologique,
à l'éducation des jeunes et à l'action pastorale, avec un esprit d'oraison et
de pénitence éminent.
Martyrologe romain
SOURCE : https://nominis.cef.fr/contenus/saint/11265/Saint-Nimatullah-%28Joseph-Kassab-al-Hardini%29.html
Nimatullah Kassab
Al-Hardini (1808-1858)
Nimatullah Al-Hardini
moine libanais maronite, est né en 1808 à Hardine, au Nord du Liban. Baptisé
dans la même année, il reçoit le nom de Youssef. Fils de l'Église Maronite,
Al-Hardini ressentit dès son enfance la tradition monastique de son Église, au
cœur de la tradition syriaque du Patriarcat d'Antioche. Il est fils d'une
famille maronite, composée de six enfants. Son père Girgis Kassab de Hardine et
sa mère Mariam Raad de Tannourine éduquèrent leurs enfants selon une vive
dévotion envers Dieu et son Église. À Hardine, le jeune Youssef passa ses
premières années d'enfance entre les monastères et les ermitages de son
village, à savoir St. Doumit, St. Georges.
Quatre enfants de sa
famille adoptèrent la vie monastique ou sacerdotale comme moyen de concrétiser
leur baptême. Tanios devint curé de paroisse, Élisée entra dans l'Ordre
Libanais Maronite où il devint ermite pour 44 années, Msihieh adopta la vie
monastique dans le monastère cloîtré de St. Jean Baptiste de Hrache et notre
bienheureux Nimatullah entre en 1828 dans l'Ordre Libanais Maronite, à l'âge de
vingt ans. Pendant son enfance, il avait fait connaissance des moines libanais
maronites au monastère St. Antoine de Houb (appartenant au même Ordre) où il
passa ses premières années d'études. L'exemple avéré de la vie monastique à
Houb attira son attention pour un engagement strict et authentique de la
vocation chrétienne. Après ses études au monastère, il retourna chez son
grand-père maternel Youssef Raad, curé du village de Tannourine. L'exemple de
son grand-père suscita dans son cœur l'amour du sacerdoce pour le bien de toute
l'Église. À Tannourine, il récitait l'Office divin au monastère avec les moines
et à la paroisse avec son grand-père et d'autres paroissiens.
Al-Hardini quitta sa
maison paternelle pour choisir la vie monastique dans l'Ordre Libanais
Maronite. Il fut envoyé au monastère St. Antoine de Qozhaya, à côté de la
«Qadischa» ou Vallée Sainte, pour passer deux ans d'épreuve de sa vocation,
comme novice parmi d'autres candidats à la vie monastique dans le même Ordre.
Nimatullah fut rapidement connu pour son choix définitif et fut ainsi un modèle
sérieux pour un enracinement décisif de la vie monastique. Au noviciat, il
s'initia à la prière communautaire et au travail manuel. Selon les
Constitutions de l'Ordre, le novice doit apprendre les moyens d'acquérir la
perfection selon l'Évangile du Christ. Pour cela, Al-Hardini multipliait à
l'église ses visites au Saint Sacrement où il passait la plupart de son temps.
On le retrouvait dans l'église agenouillé, les mains levées au ciel en forme de
croix, les yeux fixés au Tabernacle sans bouger.
Après sa profession
monastique le 14 Novembre 1830, Al-Hardini fut envoyé au monastère SS. Cyprien
et Justine à Kfifane pour étudier la philosophie et la théologie sans jamais
être dispensé d'assister, au chœur, aux sept heures et de travailler dans les
champs. Al-Hardini était connu en plus par son habileté dans la reliure des
manuscrits et des livres, un métier qu'il avait appris durant son noviciat à
Qozhaya. Durant ses études, à cause de l'ascétisme monastique et des études
intensives, il tomba malade. Mais cela ne l'empêcha pas de résister pour
manifester sa fidélité à son engagement. Pour éviter la fatigue énorme du
travail des champs, son supérieur lui désigna le soin des habits de la
communauté et il devint ainsi le tailleur de la communauté.
Au terme de ses études
philosophiques et théologiques, il fut ordonné prêtre en 1835 et devint
directeur du scolasticat et professeur de théologie morale jusqu'à ses
dernières années. Sa journée était divisée en deux parties: la moitié pour se
préparer à la célébration eucharistique et l'autre moitié pour en faire l'action
de grâce. Cette dimension contemplative envers Dieu est vécue pratiquement dans
son amour pour ses frères et pour la culture. Il fonda à Kfifane et plus tard à
Bhersaf l'école appelée autrefois «École sous le chêne» pour instruire
gratuitement les jeunes de l'entourage du monastère.
Al‑Hardini va souffrir
avec son peuple durant les deux guerres civiles de 1840 et 1845 qui vont
préparer les événements sanglants de 1860 où beaucoup de monastères vont être
brûlés, des églises renversées et des chrétiens maronites massacrés. Ce fut une
étape décisive pour sa spiritualité. La situation civile du Liban sous le
régime turc a été aussi difficile que celle de l'Église maronite et de l'Ordre.
Nimatullah s'était voué comme offrande d'holocauste pour son Liban et son
Ordre. Il lança sa prodigieuse devise: «Le sage, c'est celui qui sauve son âme»
qu'il ne cessa de répéter à ses confrères. Dans cette situation, sa prière
devient un effort pour maintenir une fidélité à Dieu qui est toujours présent
et qui ne cesse d'aimer. Il s'approcha de la mort dans la souffrance.
Dans ce contexte civil et
religieux assez douloureux et bouleversant, son frère le Père Élisée, ermite,
lui demanda de se retirer de la vie communautaire pour passer sa vie à
l'ermitage. Il lui répondit: «Ceux qui luttent pour la vertu dans la vie
communautaire, auront le majeur mérite».
D'après des témoignages
authentiques, on lui reprocha d'être dur et sévère envers lui-même mais
miséricordieux et indulgent envers ses confrères. Radical dans son choix,
Al-Hardini conçoit la sainteté en termes de communion. Il ne cesse de trouver
des occasions pour prouver son amour sans mesure. On lui attribue ces paroles:
«Le premier souci d'un moine doit être, jour et nuit, de ne pas blesser ou
affliger ses confrères».
Dans sa détresse,
Al-Hardini demande l'intercession de la Vierge Marie - son unique soutien -
pour le Liban et son Ordre. Il récitait le Rosaire chaque jour avec d'autres
moines. Il ne se lassait pas de répéter son Nom béni, l'invoquant jour et nuit.
Il pratiqua le jeûne en son honneur tous les samedis et les vigiles des fêtes
mariales. Il aimait particulièrement la dévotion envers le mystère de son
Immaculée Conception, un dogme que l'Église Catholique confirma en 1854. Après
l'Angélus, il répétait souvent ces paroles: «Bénie soit la Conception Immaculée
de la Très Sainte Vierge». Il encouragea les fidèles laïcs du voisinage à
vénérer la Vierge en formant des confréries. Il fonda 16 autels consacrés à la
Mère de Dieu; un des ces autels - au monastère de Kfifane - fut nommé après sa
mort «Notre-Dame de Hardini».
Nimatullah âgé de 43 ans
fut nommé par le Saint-Siège, en 1845, Assistant Général de l'Ordre pour un
mandat de trois ans en raison de son zèle pour l'observance parfaite des Règles
monastiques.
Homme de culture,
Al-Hardini, comme Assistant, va supplier le Père Abbé Général d'envoyer des
moines pour approfondir leurs études au nouveau collège des Jésuites fondé à
Ghazir. Sept moines furent envoyés pour assurer la continuité d'un enseignement
approfondi au Scolasticat de l'Ordre. Il passa deux années (1848-1849) de vie
communautaire au monastère St. Maroun d'Annaya et à St. Antoine de Houb. En
1850, Al-Hardini fut nommé Assistant Général avec un deuxième mandat. En 1853,
il retourna à Kfifane pour enseigner la théologie morale. En 1856, pour la
troisième fois, il fut nommé Assistant Général. S'il a accepté par obéissance
d'être Assistant, il refusa à tout prix d'être nommé Père Abbé de l'Ordre:
«Plutôt la mort que d'être Père Général de l'Ordre». Son humilité se manifeste
dans sa conviction d'être incapable de ce perpétuel contact avec Dieu qu'il
retenait nécessaire pour le service des moines de son Ordre.
Comme responsable et
malgré les honneurs de sa charge, il resta doux dans ses paroles et son agir.
Il résida avec les autres assistants autour du Père Général au monastère
Notre-Dame de Tamiche, la maison généralice de l'Ordre. Mais il ne cessa pas de
se rendre au monastère de Kfifane soit pour l'enseignement soit pour le travail
de reliure des livres dans un esprit de pauvreté, spécialement les manuscrits
liturgiques. On conserve encore un témoignage de son activité dans le bréviaire
syriaque dont il se servait et qu'il avait relié lui-même. Comme professeur, on
reconnaît parmi ses élèves Saint Charbel qui fut au Scolasticat de 1853 jusqu'à
1859 et qui assista à la mort de son maître et à l'office funèbre dans une
cérémonie très émouvante.
Durant le mois de
Décembre, Al-Hardini était au monastère de Kfifane pour l'enseignement.
Rentrant au monastère, il fut atteint par une pneumonie causée par le froid
glacial et rigoureux de l'hiver de cette région. Sa maladie s'aggrava de jour
en jour. Il demanda à un des moines de le transporter dans une cellule près de
l'église pour entendre le chant de l'Office. Après dix jours d'agonie,
Al-Hardini reçut l'extrême-onction tenant l'icône de la Vierge Marie entre ses
mains en lui disant: «Ô Marie, je vous confie mon âme». Il mourut le 14
Décembre 1858, à l'âge de 50 ans. Ses confrères remarquèrent une lumière splendide
dans sa cellule et un parfun qui l'embauma pour quelques jours.
Homme de Dieu et homme de
science, Al-Hardini passa toute sa vie comme pasteur d'âmes et professeur de
théologie. Il fut reconnu dès son vivant, comme le «saint» de Kfifane. Durant
les événements tourmentés du pays et le désordre dans l'Ordre, Nimatullah
apprit patiemment à découvrir l'amour comme un don de soi dans la souffrance.
Sa cause de béatification
fut présentée à Rome en 1926, avec celle du moine Charbel (béatifié en 1965 et
canonisé en 1977) et celle de la Sainte Rafqa, moniale libanaise maronite
(béatifiée en 1985 et canonisée en 2001). Nimatullah fut proclamé Vénérable en
1989 et Bienheureux en 1998.
SOURCE : http://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/saints/ns_lit_doc_20040516_al-hardini_fr.html
CHAPELLE PAPALE POUR LA
CANONISATION DE 6 BIENHEUREUX
HOMÉLIE DU PAPE JEAN-PAUL
II
VI Dimanche de Pâques, 16
mai 2004
1. "C'est ma
paix que je vous donne" (Jn 14, 27). Au cours du temps pascal,
nous entendons souvent cette promesse de Jésus à ses disciples. La paix
véritable est le fruit de la victoire du Christ sur le pouvoir du mal, du péché
et de la mort. Ceux qui le suivent fidèlement deviennent les témoins et les
artisans de sa paix.
Sous cette lumière, j'ai
plaisir à contempler les six nouveaux saints, que l'Eglise présente aujourd'hui
à la vénération universelle: Luigi
Orione, Hannibal
Marie di Francia, Josep
Manyanet y Vives, Nimatullah
Kassab Al-Hardini, Paola
Elisabetta Cerioli, Gianna
Beretta Molla.
2. "Ces hommes
qui ont voué leur vie au nom de notre Seigneur Jésus Christ" (Ac 15,
26). Ces paroles des Actes des Apôtres peuvent tout à fait s'appliquer à
saint Luigi
Orione, homme entièrement voué à la cause du Christ et de son Royaume. Des
souffrances physiques et morales, des épreuves, des difficultés, des
incompréhensions et des obstacles en tous genres ont marqué son ministère
apostolique. "On aime et on sert le Christ, l'Eglise, les âmes -
disait-il - si l'on est en croix et crucifié ou bien on ne les aime pas et on
ne les sert pas du tout" (Ecrits, 68, 81).
Le coeur de ce stratège
de la charité fut "sans frontières, car il était dilaté par la
charité du Christ" (ibid., 102, 32). La passion pour le Christ fut
l'âme de sa vie audacieuse, l'impulsion intérieure d'un altruisme sans réserve,
la source toujours fraîche d'une inébranlable espérance.
Cet humble fils d'un
paveur proclame que "seule la charité sauvera le monde" (ibid,
62, 13) et il répète à tous que "la joie parfaite ne peut se trouver
que dans le parfait dévouement de soi- même à Dieu et aux hommes, à tous les
hommes" (ibid.).
3. "Si
quelqu'un m'aime, il gardera ma parole" (Jn 14, 23). Dans ces paroles
évangéliques nous voyons se dessiner le profil spirituel d'Annibale
Maria di Francia, que l'amour pour le Seigneur poussa à consacrer son
existence tout entière au bien spirituel de son prochain. Dans cette
perspective, il ressentit en particulier l'urgence de réaliser le commandement
évangélique: "Rogate ergo... - Priez donc le Maître de la
moisson d'envoyer des ouvriers à sa moisson" (Mt 9, 38).
Il laissa aux Pères
Rogationnistes et aux Soeurs Filles du Divin Zèle la tâche de se consacrer de
toutes leurs forces à ce que la prière pour les vocations soit "incessante
et universelle". C'est cette même invitation que le Père Annibale Maria Di
Francia adresse aux jeunes de notre temps, en la résumant dans sa célèbre
exhortation: "Tombez amoureux de Jésus Christ".
De cette intuition
providentielle est né dans l'Eglise un grand mouvement de prière pour les
vocations. Je souhaite de tout coeur que l'exemple du Père Annibale Maria Di
Francia guide et soutienne cette action pastorale également à notre époque.
4. "Mais le
Paraclet, l'Esprit Saint, que le Père enverra en mon nom, lui, vous enseignera
tout et vous rappellera tout ce que je vous ai dit" (Jn 14, 26).
Depuis le début, le Paraclet a suscité des hommes et des femmes qui ont rappelé
et diffusé la vérité révélée par Jésus. L'un d'entre eux fut Saint Josep
Manyanet y Vives, véritable apôtre de la famille. S'inspirant de l'école de
Nazareth, il réalisa son projet de sainteté personnelle et se consacra, avec un
dévouement héroïque, à la mission que l'Esprit lui avait confiée. Il fonda à
cette intention deux Congrégations religieuses. Un symbole visible de son
aspiration apostolique est également la cathédrale de la "Sagrada
Familia" à Barcelone.
Que saint José Manyanet
bénisse toutes les familles et vous aide à apporter les exemples de la Sainte
Famille dans vos foyers!
5. Homme de prière,
amoureux de l'Eucharistie qu'il aimait adorer longuement, saint Nimatullah
Kassab Al-Hardini est un exemple pour les moines de l'Ordre libanais
maronite comme pour ses frères libanais et pour tous les chrétiens du monde. Il
s'est donné totalement au Seigneur dans une vie de grand renoncement, montrant
que l'amour de Dieu est la seule véritable source de joie et de bonheur pour
l'homme. Il s'est attaché à chercher et à suivre le Christ, son Maître et
Seigneur.
Accueillant à ses frères,
il a soulagé et guéri beaucoup de blessures dans les coeurs de ses
contemporains, leur témoignant la miséricorde de Dieu. Puisse son exemple
éclairer notre route, susciter chez les jeunes en particulier un vrai désir de
Dieu et de la sainteté, pour annoncer à notre monde la lumière de l'Evangile!
6. "L'ange...
me montra la Cité sainte, Jérusalem, qui descendait du ciel" (Ap 21,
10). L'image splendide proposée par l'Apocalypse de Jean exalte la beauté et la
fécondité spirituelle de l'Eglise, la nouvelle Jérusalem. Paola
Elisabetta Cerioli, dont l'existence porta d'abondants fruits de biens, est
un témoin singulier de cette fécondité spirituelle.
En contemplant la Sainte
Famille, Paola Elisabetta eut l'intuition que les communautés familiales
réussissent à rester solides lorsque les liens de parenté sont renforcés et
cimentés par le partage des valeurs de la foi et de la culture chrétienne. Afin
de diffuser ces valeurs, la nouvelle sainte fonda l'Institut de la
Sainte-Famille. En effet, elle était convaincue que les enfants ont besoin
d'une famille saine et unie, généreuse et stable pour grandir sûrs et forts.
Que Dieu aide les familles chrétiennes à accueillir et à témoigner en toute
circonstance l'amour de Dieu miséricordieux.
7. Gianna
Beretta Molla fut une simple messagère de l'amour divin, mais elle le
fut de façon profondément significative. Quelques jours avant son mariage, dans
une lettre à son futur mari, elle écrivait: "L'amour est le
plus beau sentiment que le Seigneur ait placé dans l'âme des hommes".
A l'exemple du Christ,
qui "ayant aimé les siens... les aima jusqu'à la fin" (Jn 13,
1), cette sainte mère de famille resta héroïquement fidèle à l'engagement pris
le jour de son mariage. Le sacrifice extrême qui scella sa vie, témoigne que seul
celui qui a le courage de se donner totalement à Dieu et à ses frères se
réalise lui-même.
Puisse notre époque
redécouvrir, à travers l'exemple de Gianna Beretta Molla, la beauté pure,
chaste et féconde de l'amour conjugal, vécu comme une réponse à l'appel divin!
8. "Que votre
coeur ne se trouble ni ne s'effraie" (Jn 14, 28). Les existences
terrestres de ces six nouveaux saints nous poussent à persévérer sur notre
propre voie, en nous en remettant à l'aide de Dieu et à la protection
maternelle de Marie. Du ciel, puissent-ils à présent veiller sur nous et nous
soutenir à travers leur puissante intercession.
© Copyright 2004 -
Libreria Editrice Vaticana
Les Saints du Liban:
Nimatullah Kassab Al-Hardini
Par François El Bacha -13
décembre 20191173
Nimatullah Kassab
Al-Hardini est un saint du Liban qui est né en 1808 à Hardine au Nord du Liban
et qui est décédé en 1858 dans une famille qui comptera 6 enfants. Son père
Girgis (Georges) Kassab de Hardine et sa mère Mariam Raad de Tannourine,
localité située non loin. Ils le nommeront Youssef, forme arabisée de Joseph.
À Hardine, le futur saint
passa ses premières années d’enfance entre les monastères et les ermitages de
son village, à savoir St. Doumit, St. Georges. L’aspect religieux était déjà
très présent au sein de sa famille avec un grand-père maternel Youssef Raad
déjà prêtre du village de Tannourine.
Le village de Hardine,
qui signifie : “pieux et dévot”, est d’ailleurs connu pour la dévotion
particulière de ses habitants. Il compte en effet, 30 églises et monastères.
Avec 4 de ses frères et
soeurs, le jeune Youssef s’orientera vers une vie religieuse.
Un choix de vie
monastique déjà précoce
En 1828, alors tout
juste âgé de 20 ans, le jeune Youssef intégrera l’Ordre Libanais Maronite, où
se trouvait déjà un de ses frères, Élisée. Ces derniers étaient déjà présents non
loin, par le monastère que la congrégation possédait alors à Houb.
Il y recevra le nom de
Nimatullah ou “Grâce de Dieu”.
Désormais appelé
Nimatullah Kassab Al-Hardini, le jeune moine ira d’abord au monastère de Saint
Antoine à Qozhaya à proximité de la vallée sainte de Qadisha. Il y passera ses
2 premières années de noviciat. Sur place, une de ses tâches sera de se former
à la vie communautaire et à certains travaux manuels comme la reliure des
manuscrits des livres saints.
Mais c’est à partir du 14
nombre 1830, que le futur Saint rejoindra le monastère de Cyprien et de Saint
Justine à Kfifane. Il y recevra des cours de philosophie et de théologie et y
perfectionnera son don de travailler sur les reliures, tout en travaillant dans
les champs appartenant à l’ordre. Saint Hardini tombera malade. C’est alors que
son supérieur le retire des travaux dans les champs pour lui demander de
devenir le tailleur de sa communauté religieuse.
Nimatullah Kassab Al.
Hardini, fondateur d’école et enseignant
Il finira par devenir
prêtre en 1835, devient directeur du scolasticat et professeur
de théologie morale jusqu’à ses dernières années. C’est, non-loin de
là, au lieu-dit de Bhersaf, que Saint Hardini fondera une école dite “École
sous le chêne” où les jeunes villageois apprendront gratuitement différentes
matières dont la lecture et l’écriture.
Alors que le Liban
traversera les périodes difficiles des guerres civiles de 1840 et de 1845, avec
ses lots de destructions et de violences notamment vis-à-vis de la communauté
chrétienne, Nimatullah Kassab Al-Hardini se révèlera notamment avec sa devise:
“Le sage, c’est celui qui sauve son âme”
C’est dans ce contexte troublé,
avec la destruction de nombreuses églises et monastères que Nimatullah Kassab
Al-Hardini trouvera la force de fonder 16 autels dédiés à la Vierge Marie, dont
celui qui se trouve au pied du Monastère de Kfifane.
Nimatullah Kassab Al.
Hardini, Assistant Général
Il sera ensuite nommé en
1845 par le Vatican Assistant Général de l’Ordre Libanais Maronite pour un
premier mandat de 3 ans. C’est à ce titre qu’il enverra les 7 nouveaux moines
au collège Jésuite de Ghazir, tout juste fondé en 1843 et qui sera à l’origine
de l’Université St Joseph (USJ) à la suite de son transfert à Beyrouth en 1870.
Ces derniers formeront à
leur tour les leurs.
Entre 1848 et 1849,
Nimatullah Kassab Al-Hardini se retrouvera au monastère St Maron d’Annaya puis
à celui de Houb, à proximité de son village natal.
Son mandat d’Assistant
Général sera reconduit en 1850 pour 3 années supplémentaires.
À l’issue de ce 2ème
mandat, il retournera à Kfifan pour enseigner la théologie morale puis
retrouvera son poste d’assistant général en 1856 pour un troisième mandat. Il
devra alors résider au monastère de Tamiche tout en poursuivant sa carrière
d’enseignant au monastère de Kfifan.
C’est durant cette
période que se trouve à Kfifan entre 1853 et 1859, parmi les élèves de Saint
Hardini, un certain Charbel Makhlouf qui deviendra Saint Charbel ensuite.
Quant à Saint Hardini, il
décèdera le 14 décembre 1858, suite à une pneumonie contractée en raison du
froid.
Parallèlement à celle de
St Charbel et de Sainte Rafqa, la cause de béatification de Saint Hardini sera
présenté devant le Pape en 1926. Il sera proclamé Vénérable en 1989, alors que
s’achevait la guerre civile libanaise et bienheureux en 1998. Il
sera canonisé par le pape Jean-Paul II, le 16
mai 2004.
Sa dépouille se repose
désormais dans un cercueil de Cèdre au couvent de Kfifane, au milieu de ceux
qu’il aimait tant.
François El Bacha http://el-bacha.com
Expert économique,
François el Bacha est l'un des membres fondateurs de Libnanews.com. Il a
notamment travaillé pour des projets multiples, allant du secteur bancaire aux
problèmes socio-économiques et plus spécifiquement en terme de diversité au
sein des entreprises.
Lire la suite sur : http://libnanews.com/saints-liban-nimatullah-kassab-al-hardini/
Lire la suite sur : http://libnanews.com/saints-liban-nimatullah-kassab-al-hardini/
SOURCE : https://libnanews.com/saints-liban-nimatullah-kassab-al-hardini/
Saint Yusuf Jurj Kassab al-Hardini
Also known as
Nimatullah al-Hardini
Nimatullah Youssef Kassab Al-Hardini
Profile
Educated by
the monks of
San Antonio Aban. Lebanese Maronite monk in
Batrun, Lebanon in 1828,
taking the name Father Nimatullah. Worked as a bookbinder of
religious works for his house. Ordained in 1833.
Spiritual director and novice master in his house, and chosen to be part of the
General Council of the Maronite
Order. Spiritual teacher of Saint Charbel
Mahklouf. Know for the zeal of his faith, his devotion to Christ and Mary,
and his deep prayer life.
Born
1808 in
Hardine, Batrun, Ash Shamal, Lebanon
14
December 1858 in
Kfifan, Batrun, Ash Shamal, Lebanon
incorrupt remains at
the monastery at
Kfifan
7
September 1989 by Pope John
Paul II (decree of martyrdom)
10
May 1998 by Pope John
Paul II
16
May 2004 by Pope John
Paul II
Additional
Information
other
sites in english
sitios
en español
Martirologio Romano, 2001 edición
sites
en français
fonti
in italiano
MLA
Citation
“Saint Yusuf Jurj Kassab
al-Hardini“. CatholicSaints.Info. 12 August 2022. Web. 14 February 2023. <https://catholicsaints.info/saint-yusuf-jurj-kassab-al-hardini/>
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/saint-yusuf-jurj-kassab-al-hardini/
St Nimatullah Youssef
Kassab Al-Hardini (1808-1858)
Youssef Kassab Al-Hardini was
born in 1808 in Hardin, Lebanon. As a child, he was strongly influenced by the
monastic tradition of the Maronite Church. Four of his brothers became priests
or monks, and Youssef himself entered the Lebanese Maronite Order in 1828.
The young man began
religious life at the monastery of St Anthony in Qozhaya, near the Qadisha
(Holy Valley), where he remained for two years until he began his novitiate and
was given the name "Nimatullah". During the novitiate, he deepened
his life of personal and community prayer and dedicated time to manual labour,
while also learning to bind books.
Love for the Blessed
Sacrament
Nimatullah was especially
noted for his love of the Blessed Sacrament. During his free time - frequently
at the sacrifice of sleep - he was often found in the chapel on his knees, arms
raised in the form of a cross and eyes fixed on the tabernacle.
On 14 November 1830 he
made his religious profession and was sent to the monastery of Sts Cyprian and
Justina in Kfifan to study philosophy and theology. On 25 December 1833 he was
ordained a priest and became director of the scholasticate and a professor.
During the two civil wars
of 1840 and 1845, he suffered greatly with his people. His brother, Fr Elisha,
suggested he withdraw to a hermitage, but he replied: "Those who
struggle for virtue in community life will have greater merit".
He observed that the
ordinary, everyday life is a continuous martyrdom, since the monk must always
be a model to his brother monks, guarding himself from becoming a source of
scandal; instead, the hermit lives alone, away from all external temptations.
It was also a decisive
moment in his spiritual life, and he offered himself to God for Lebanon and his
Order. His motto was: "The greatest is he that can save his
soul", and he would often repeat this to his brother monks.
The "first concern'
of a monk
Fr Nimatullah was at
times also reprimanded by his superiors for being too hard on himself and too
merciful and indulgent towards his brothers. He understood holiness in terms of
communion and fraternal charity and is said to have remarked: "A
monk's first concern, night and day, should be not to hurt or trouble his
brother monks".
Throughout his life he
had a special devotion to the Virgin Mary, his "source of strength".
He never tired of repeating her holy name, and carried a special place in his
heart for the mystery of the Immaculate Conception (a dogma proclaimed by the
Church in 1854). After the Angelus he would often repeat: "Blessed
be the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin".
In 1845 the Holy See appointed him
Assistant General of the order. A man of culture, Fr Nimatullah asked the
Superior General to send monks to further their studies at
the new college founded by the Jesuits in Ghazir.
A truly humble man of God
He served as Assistant
General for two more terms, but refused to be appointed Abbot General:
"Better death than to be appointed Superior General", he is reported
as saying.
His reluctance to assume
positions of authority in his Order came from his deep humility and his earnest
belief that he was far from living in continual contact with God, so necessary
to properly serve the monks and the Order. Even when he was Assistant General,
he remained humble, refusing to have a special servant accompany him and attend
to his personal needs, as was the custom in the Order at the time.
"O Mary, I entrust
my soul to you'
In December 1858, while
teaching at the monastery of Kfifan, he became gravely ill, a result of the
bitter cold in that region. His condition worsened, leading to his death on 14
December. He died holding an icon of the Blessed Virgin and saying:
"O Mary, to you I entrust my soul". He was 50 years old.
When the then Patriarch
Boulos Massad heard of Fr Nimatullah's death, he commented: "Congratulations
to this monk who knew how to benefit from his monastic life".
While still alive, Fr
Nimatullah was known as the "Saint of Kfifan", a monk who gave
himself completely to his brother monks and neighbours during a time of
suffering in his Land and difficulty within his Order.
Fr Nimatullah was
beatified by Pope John Paul II on 10 May 1998.
SOURCE : http://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/saints/ns_lit_doc_20040516_al-hardini_en.html
CANONIZATION OF SIX NEW
SAINTS
HOMILY OF JOHN PAUL II
Sixth Sunday of Easter,
16 May 2004
1. "Peace I
leave with you" (Jn 14: 27). During the Easter season, we frequently hear
this promise of Jesus to his disciples. True peace is the fruit of Christ's
victory over the power of evil, sin and death. Those who follow him faithfully
become witnesses and builders of his peace.
It is in this light that
I wish to contemplate the six new Saints, offered to us today by the Church for
universal veneration: Luigi
Orione, Hannibal
Mary Di Francia, José
Manyanet y Vives, Nimatullah
Kassab Al-Hardini, Paola
Elisabetta Cerioli, Gianna
Beretta Molla.
2. "Men who
have risked their lives for the sake of Our Lord Jesus Christ" (Acts
15: 26). These words taken from the Acts of the Apostles can be well-applied to St
Luigi Orione, a man who gave himself entirely for the cause of Christ
and his Kingdom. Physical and moral sufferings, fatigue, difficulty, misunderstandings
and all kinds of obstacles characterized his apostolic ministry. "Christ,
the Church, souls", he would say, "are loved and served on
the cross and through crucifixion or they are not loved and served at all" (Writings, 68,
81).
The heart of this
strategy of charity was "without limits because it was opened wide by
the charity of Christ" (ibid., 102, 32). Passion for Christ was the
soul of his bold life, the interior thrust of an altruism without reservations,
the always fresh source of an indestructible hope.
This humble son of a man
who repaired roads proclaimed that "only charity will save the
world" (ibid., 62, 13), and to everyone he would often say
that "perfect joy can only be found in perfect dedication of oneself
to God and man, and to all mankind" (ibid.).
3. "Whoever
loves me will keep my word" (Jn 14: 23). In these words of the Gospel
we see illustrated the spiritual profile of Hannibal
Mary Di Francia, whose love for the Lord moved him to dedicate his
entire life to the spiritual well-being of others. In this perspective, he felt
above all the urgency to carry out the Gospel command: "Rogate
ergo... Pray then to the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his
harvest!" (Mt 9: 38).
He left to the
Rogationist Fathers and the Daughters of Divine Zeal the task to do their
utmost with all their strength so that prayer for vocations would be
"unceasing and universal". This same call of Fr Hannibal Mary Di
Francia is directed to the young people of our times, summed up in his usual
exhortation: "Fall in love with Jesus Christ".
From this providential intuition,
a great movement of prayer for vocations rose up within the Church. I hope with
all my heart that the example of Fr Hannibal Mary Di Francia will guide and
sustain such pastoral work even in our times.
4. "The Holy
Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and
remind you of all that I told you" (Jn 14: 26). From the beginning,
the Holy Spirit has brought forth men and women who have remembered and spread
the truth revealed by Jesus. One of these was St
José Manyanet, a true apostle of the family. Inspired by the school of
Nazareth, he carried out his plan of personal sanctity and heroically devoted
himself to the mission that the Spirit entrusted to him. He founded two
religious congregations. A visible symbol of his apostolic zeal is also the
temple of the Holy Family of Barcelona.
May St José Manyanet
bless all families and help them follow the example of the Holy Family in their
homes!
5. A man of prayer,
in love with the Eucharist which he adored for long periods, St
Nimatullah Kassab Al-Hardini is an example for the monks of the Order
of Lebanese Maronites as he is for his Lebanese brothers and sisters and all
Christians of the world. He gave himself completely to the Lord in a life full
of great sacrifices, showing that God's love is the only true source of joy and
happiness for man. He committed himself to searching for and following Christ,
his Master and Lord.
Welcoming his brothers,
he reassured and healed many wounds in the hearts of his contemporaries,
witnessing to God's mercy. May his example enlighten our journey and bring
forth, especially in young people, a true desire for God and for holiness to
proclaim to our world the light of the Gospel!
6. "The
Angel... showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of
heaven" (Rv 21: 10). This marvellous image in the Apocalypse of John
exalts the beauty and spiritual fruitfulness of the Church, the new Jerusalem.
A unique witness to this spiritual fruitfulness is Paola
Elisabetta Cerioli, whose life was full of good fruits.
Contemplating the Holy
Family, Paola Elisabetta understood that families remain strong when the bonds
among their members are sustained and kept together by sharing the values of
faith and a Christian way of life. To spread these values, the new Saint
founded the Institute of the Holy Family. She was convinced that in order for
children to grow up sure of themselves and strong, they needed a family that
was healthy and united, generous and stable. May God help Christian families to
welcome and witness in every situation to the love of the merciful God.
7. Gianna
Beretta Molla was a simple, but more than ever, significant messenger
of divine love. In a letter to her future husband a few days before their
marriage, she wrote: "Love is the most beautiful sentiment the Lord
has put into the soul of men and women".
Following the example of
Christ, who "having loved his own... loved them to the
end" (Jn 13: 1), this holy mother of a family remained heroically
faithful to the commitment she made on the day of her marriage. The extreme
sacrifice she sealed with her life testifies that only those who have the
courage to give of themselves totally to God and to others are able to fulfil
themselves.
Through the example of
Gianna Beretta Molla, may our age rediscover the pure, chaste and fruitful
beauty of conjugal love, lived as a response to the divine call!
8. "Do not let
your hearts be troubled or afraid" (Jn 14: 28). The earthly events of
these six new Saints spur us to persevere on our own journey, confiding in the
help of God and the maternal protection of Mary. From Heaven, may they now
watch over us and support us with their powerful intercession.
© Copyright 2004 -
Libreria Editrice Vaticana
02/19/2004, 00.00
LEBANON VATICAN
Third Lebanese saint to
be canonized, loved even by Druze and Muslim people
Beirut (AsiaNews) – John
Paul II announced that the Lebanese Blessed Nimatullah al-Hardini (1808 – 1858)
will be canonized next May 16 together with 5 other saints (Fr. Orione; Fr. Hannibal
M. of France; Fr. Joseph Manyanet y Vives; Paola Elisabetta and Gianna
Beretta Molla). Blessed al Hardini had the name Youssef
(Joseph) Kassab when he was born in Hardine (in Batrun county in
north-central Lebanon). From 1816-1822 he attended Houb, the school
belonging to the St. Anthony's Monastery of the Lebanese Maronite order.
In 1828 he became a
seminarian at St. Anthony's Monastery in Kozhaya, choosing the name Br.
Nimatullah ("Grace of God"). He took solemn vows on Nov. 14 1830.
After he finished his religious studies, he was ordained a priest in
Kfifane on Dec. 25 1833.
He was three times the
vice-superior of the Lebanese Maronite order (1845-1848; 1850-1853; e
1856-1858). He taught theology at the order's main seminary, with Lebanese
saint Charbel Makhlouf being one of his students. He dedicated his life to
teaching, binding books, tailoring clothes, pastoral work in parishes and to
prayer.He spent many entire days and nights adoring the Blessed Sacrament, was
devoted to Mary and constantly prayed the rosary.
He died of stomach cancer
at the Monastery of Sts. Cyprian and Justin on 14 Dec. 1858 in Kfifane.
Like Mother Teresa, Al
Hardini was said to be a man of faith and miracles –even by
non-Christians.
Among the miracles
attributed to the future saint was one which happened to a Druze woman. Fr.
Georges Rahme, a Maronite monk, professor of philosophy and eastern
civilization at the University of Lebanon and author of several books, told
AsiaNews the story: "Once a Druze woman went Al-Hardini's tomb and left
the body of her third child atop his grave. She was desperate since
her children died just after they were born. After leaving the little
corpse at the site of his tomb she went outside the monastery's church to cry.
Before getting too far she heard one of the brothers shout that there was
a new-bon left in the church and was crying. The Druze infant had resurrected
from the dead!"
Fr. George Rahme, who
teaches also at Segesse University, explained further to AsiaNews:"Al-Hardini
overcame the idea of saintliness which is far from the lives of ordinary
people. Al-Hardini was a monk who lived among his fellow religious and in
society. He was not a hermit like St. Charbel."
"He was rather like
Mother Teresa of Calcutta, living among ordinary people and bearing witness to
Christ's love for humanity. He was a teacher, a confessor and went out to visit
people in the very homes. He was a person who sacrificed himself for
others. He ate only one meal a day. He lived and became holy living in society
and among people. Al-Hardini used to always say: 'Every time I meet someone I
get ever closer to perfection' –and he said it because he saw Christ in
them."
Alecco Habib, a lay
Catholic Lebanese man and professor of marketing at the University of Lebanon,
told AsiaNews: "Faith means everything to us Christians in the East.
Everything is unstable in life except faith. After have seeing all our hopes
from earthly freedom, peace and justice crumble over the years, God sends us
messages through the saints who have lived here on earth: they are people whom
we've never met but nevertheless are examples of prayer and faith to us."
"Following the
example of our saints we hope to reach at least a thousandth of their level of
holiness. Each time the St. Peter's canonizes a Lebanese man or woman our faith
is strengthened. To be saints in today's society is not impossible. And St.
Al-Hardini is proof of this. He used to say 'He who is intelligent is he who
saves his own soul'." (PB)
SOURCE : https://www.asianews.it/index.php?l=en&art=389
Saint Hardini, a Saint from Lebanon
Life of Saint Hardini
Father Hardini was born Joseph Kassab in the year
1808. His father was George Kassab and his mother Marium Raad, daughter of
Reverend Yousef Yacoub. He had four brothers and two sisters, his brothers were
'Assaf, Elias, Tanious, Yacoub and his sisters Masihieh and Mariam. Joseph's
brother Elias became Father Lesha', the Hermit at Qozhaya, and later at 'Annaya
where he died. Father Charbel replaced the late Father Lesha' at the hermitage
in 'Annaya. Joseph entered the school of the monks of St. Anthony at Houb from
1816 to 1822 and then entered the monastery of St. Anthony Ishaia and became a
novice on November 1828. There he adopted the name Fr. Nimatullah Kassab
Hardini, then he learned to bind books.
He professed his first vows on 14th of November 1830.
After he finished his theological studies, he was ordained a priest under
Bishop Seiman Zwain in the monastery at Kfifan on 25th of December 1833.
He became a member of the general council three times
from 1845 to 1848, 1850 to 1853, 1856 to 1858. As a member of the council he
continued to bind books. He taught in monastic schools, especially in Kfifan.
Father Nimatullah lived a very holy life. He was a man
of prayer, totally "enraptured by God". He spent days and nights in
meditation, prayer and adoration of the Eucharist. The Virgin Mary was his
patron and Father Nimatullah prayed Her Rosary. He was also a very humble,
sensitive and patient person who lived his monastic vows of "obedience,
chastity and poverty" to perfection. His fellow brother Monks and the
people who knew him called him "The Saint" while he was still alive.
One of his students was Charbel Makhlouf (St. Charbel), 1853 to 1858.
Father Nimatullah Hardini died in the monastery of
Kfifan on 14th December 1858. He passed away after struggling ten days with a
high fever which he contracted from the cold winter wind characteristic of
northern Lebanon. He was only then fifty years of age. He died holding a
picture of the Virgin Mary, his last words being: "O Virgin Mary between
your hands I submit my soul." People who were nearby at the moment of
Father Nimatullah's death witnessed a heavenly light illuminating his room and
an aromatic smell which remained in his room for a number of days afterwards.
When the then Patriarch, Boulos Massad, heard of Father Nimatullah's death he
commented: "Congratulations to this monk who knew how to benefit from his
monastic life."
Some time later, the Monks opened Father Nimatullah's
tomb and to their surprise they found his body had remained incorrupt. He was
then removed and placed in a coffin near the church. After obtaining due
permission from the local ecclesiastical authority, from 1864 visitors were
allowed to see Father Neemtallah's intact body until 1927. In that same year
the Committee of Inquiry set up to investigate the Cause of Father Nimatullah
finalised its investigation. Father Nimatullah's body was then reburied in the
curving wall of his monastic cell, before being transferred to a little Chapel
where masses are celebrated for visitors.
He was declared Venerable on September 7, 1989. At the
behest of his Beatitude Patriarch Nasrallah Peter Sfeir, his body was examined
and placed in a new coffin on May 18, 1996. His body was recently transferred
to a new coffin made of cedar and placed in the Monastery of Kfifan where
people may visit.
Several cures have taken place through his
intercession. These include the raising to life of a Muslim child whose mother
claimed had died, the healing of a person with a neurological disease, the
restoration of sight to a blind person and the curing of a person suffering
from cancer.
The case of the curing of Andre Najm is of particular
note due to its very recent occurance and thourough investigation by the
international medical community that followed. Andre Najm, born on October 29,
1966 enjoyed excellent health for the first twenty years of his life. However
in June of 1986 he began to experience a chronic fatigue and nervous
breakdowns, unable to even walk a short distance. Many physicians in Lebanon
and abroad treated him to no avail. He was suffering from a form of blood
cancer and required frequent blood transfusions.
Miracles Performed by Father Nimatullah Kassab Hardini
During his life, Father Nimatullah performed many
miracles due to his deep spirituality, his high virtues and his radiant soul
that became united to its Creator through prayer. "The Saint of
Kfifan" had the charism of prophesy and hence became known as "a man
of vision." 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, Father Nimatullah 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). Father Nimatullah asked the monk in charge to change the place
of the cows. At first the monk hesitated, but Father Nimatullah insisted and
urged him to do so. After the cows were removed the roof of the barn collapsed
and then none of the cows were lost.
Healing of the Altar-boy
On another occasion, Father Nimatullah wanted to
celebrate his daily mass but his usual altar-boy did not arrive to church on
time. Father Nimatullah 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. Father
Nimatullah 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 Father Nimatullah's mass with joy and liveliness.
Provisions Box
Father Nimatullah once prayed over and blessed the
provisions' box (which contained wheat and other foodstuffs) at the monastery
of El-Kattara which was very short. 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 Father Nimatullah 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
After his death, God granted many healings and
miracles through the intercession of the "Saint of Kfifan." One such
healing was granted to an Orthodox blind man, Moussa Saliba, from the town of
Btegrin (El- Maten). Moussa Saliba visited Nimatullah's tomb, praying and
asking for his blessing. A deep sleep overcame Moussa Saliba, and then Father
Nimatullah appeared to him and healed his eyes, enabling him to see clearly.
Mickael Kfoury
Another miracle occurred to a Melkite Catholic 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 Father Nimatullah was performing this
man decided to visit Father Nimatullah'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
On September 26, 1987 Andre accompanied family and
friends to the monastery of Kfifane where he prayed fervently at the grave of
Fr. Hardini. 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 transfusions since that day, and in 1991 he married
Rola Salim Raad. They have two children, a son named Charbel and a daughter
named Rafca. Today, Andre is in excellent health.
On May 2, 1996, His Excellency Bishop Khalil
Abi-Nader, retired Bishop of the Maronite Diocese of Beirut, obtained the
permission of His Beatitude Nasrallah Boutros Cardinal Sfeir to start the
investigation of the miracle of Andre Najm. On September 26, 1996 the
Congregation for the Causes of Saints began to study the miracle. On February
27, 1997 the five member medical team unanimously voted to accept the
miraculous cure of Andre Najm, and on May 9, 1997, the seven member theological
team also voted unanimously to accept the miracle. On July 1, 1997 the General
Assembly of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, which includes
twenty-four cardinals, accepted the miracle.
On July 7, 1997, and in the presence of the Holy
Father Pope John Paul II, the Congregation for the Causes of Saints published a
decree of accepting the miracle attributed to the intercession of the servant
of God, Fr. Al-Hardini.
Nimutallah al-Hardini's Beatification by Pope John
Paul II was held at Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome on Sunday May 10, 1998. The
Maronite Church celebrates his feast day on the 14th of December.
The People
These are a few examples of Father Nimatullah's
astonishing miracles. Father Nimatullah's life was a miracle in itself.
However, the greatest miracles performed by Father Nimatullah are the many
people who have returned back to God because of his intercession and his way of
life. This is especially so of many Monks who, realising the full depth and
richness of Father Nimatullah's example, have determined to walk on the same
path of loyalty to their Lord Jesus Christ in order to be saved.
Chronological Time Chart on the Road to Beatification
May 1925: Pope Pius XI accepts the petitions for
beatification of Father Charbel, Sister Rafca, and Father Neemtallah.
March 1926: The assigned Committee meets at Bkirky in
order to investigate Father Neemtallah's cause for Sainthood.
September 1927: The Committee finalises its
investigations.
13 June 1966: Pope Paul VI officially approves the
furtherance of proceedings into Father Neemtallah's cause.
7 September 1989: Pope John Paul II declares Father
Neemtallah Venerable
18 May 1996: After permission is given by His
Eminence, Cardinal Nesrallah Sfeir, the tomb of Venerable Neemtallah is opened
and his remains are transferred to a new coffin and his tomb sealed.
10 May 1998: The whole Catholic Church, and the
Maronite Church in particular, celebrates the beatification of Venerable
Neemtallah in St. Peter's Rome. This day is attended by thousands of Maronites
from all over the world, coming to celebrate another blessed saint given to the
world by the school of sanctity, the Lebanese Maronite Order.
SOURCE : http://www.hardini.org/saint/hardini/life/
St. Nimatullah Kassab
Al-Hardini, "Enamored of the Eucharist"
VATICAN CITY, MAY 16,
2004 (Zenit.org).- As he canonized
Nimatullah Kassab Al-Hardini, John Paul II pointed to the Lebanese monk as a
man “enamored of the Eucharist” and a witness of God’s mercy.
MAY 16, 2004 00:00ZENIT STAFFSPIRITUALITY
The priest of the
Lebanese Maronite Order (1808-1858) is loved and remembered by Muslims and
Druses as well as Christians.
During his homily at the
canonization Mass today in St. Peter’s Square, the Pope referred to the monk as
a “man of prayer, enamored of the Eucharist, which he adored for long periods.”
“He gave himself totally
to the Lord in a life of great self-denial, showing that the love of God is the
only source of joy and happiness for man,” the Holy Father said. “He was
determined to seek and follow Christ, his teacher and Lord.”
“Welcoming his brothers,
he soothed and healed many wounds in the hearts of his contemporaries,
witnessing to them the mercy of God,” John Paul II continued.
Nimatullah Al-Hardini
founded a school in Kifkan and later in Bhersaf to instruct youth for free.
With his people, he
suffered through the civil wars of 1840 and 1845, which paved the way for the
bloody events of 1860, when many monasteries and churches were destroyed and
numerous Maronite Christians massacred.
As a theology professor
in the major seminary, he had among his students Charbel Maklouf, who was also
eventually canonized a saint.
SOURCE : https://zenit.org/2004/05/16/st-nimatullah-kassab-al-hardini-enamored-of-the-eucharist/
San Nimatullah Youssef
Kassab Al-Hardini Religioso maronita
Beit Kassab, 1808 -
Kfifane, 1858
E' figlio del Libano, al
secolo: Giuseppe Kassab (1808-1858), sacerdote dell'Ordine Libanese Maronita.
Nel nascondimento del monastero si dedicò alla preghiera, all'insegnamento
della teologia e al lavoro manuale. Tra i suoi alunni ebbe San Charbel Maklouf.
La Santa Sede lo nominò Assistente del Superiore Generale del suo Ordine. Fu
beatificato nel 1998.
Martirologio Romano: In
località Klifane nel territorio libanese, san Nimatullah al-Hardini (Giuseppe)
Kassab, sacerdote dell’Ordine Libanese Maronita, che, uomo insigne per spirito
di preghiera e penitenza, attese all’insegnamento della teologia,
all’educazione dei giovani e all’impegno pastorale.
All’ombra dei cedri del
Libano, in una terra travagliata ed al contempo meravigliosa, ricca di
testimonianze storiche e cristiane, nel XIX secolo, sono vissute grandi figure
di persone che si sono santificate mediante la preghiera e l’ascetismo,
raggiungendo alte vette mistiche. Tra esse, accanto a San Charbel ed a Santa
Rafqà, spicca quella del Beato Al-Hardini, al secolo Youssef Kassab. Si tratta
di un’alta figura monastica, di una grande intransigenza, soprattutto con se
stesso, dottrinaria e spirituale.
Egli nacque nel 1808, da
Girges (Giorgio) Salhab Kassab e Miryam Raad, sorella di un sacerdote, Yousef
Yacoub, in Libano, in una terra che porta il nome della sua famiglia, Beit
Kassab, nei pressi di Hardin. Quella regione era (ed è), in terra libanese, conosciuta
per il gran fervore cristiano e per la forte presenza maronita.
Il nostro Beato aveva
quattro fratelli (‘Assaf, Elias, Tanious, Yacoub) e due sorelle (Masihieh e
Miryam). Quattro prenderanno i voti. In particolare, il fratello di Youssef,
Elias, consacrandosi a Dio con il nome di fratel Lesha, si dedicherà
all’eremitaggio, dapprima a Qozhayya e più tardi ad ‘Annaya, dove morirà nel
febbraio 1875 e dove, tempo dopo, sarà sostituito da quello che diverrà S.
Charbel. ‘Assaf, invece, preferì il matrimonio, così come la sorella
minore, Miryam. I loro discendenti sono tuttora viventi.
Il giovane Youssef compì
gli studi elementari presso la scuola monastica del convento di S. Antonio di
Houb, dal 1816 al 1822. Dopo di ciò, si dedicò ai lavori agricoli con i suoi
genitori. La vocazione religiosa, quasi naturale per un ragazzo pio che aveva
studiato in una scuola monastica, nacque subito, ma il giovane dovette
attendere i 20 anni per poterla dichiarare ai suoi. Entrò quindi come novizio,
nel novembre 1828, nel convento maronita di S. Antonio in Qozhayya. Due anni
più tardi, e precisamente il 14 novembre 1830, emise i suoi voti, assumendo il
nome di Nimatullah, che significa "dono di Dio". Terminati gli studi
teologici e filosofici, ricevette l’ordinazione sacerdotale, dal vescovo Seiman
Zwain, nel monastero dei Santi Cipriano e Giustino in Kfifane, il giorno di
Natale del 1833.
A differenza del fratello
Elias, Nimatullah non assumerà la vita eremitica a proprio cammino di
perfezione. Tutta la sua esistenza la visse prevalentemente a Kfifane, nel
convento maronita con annessa scuola di teologia, tanto da essere noto come il
"Santo di Kfifane".
La sua fu una vita
trascorsa santamente nel rigore della disciplina. Era uomo di preghiera,
totalmente immerso in Dio. Era solito, infatti, pregare per ore nella cappella
del monastero dinanzi al SS. Sacramento, inginocchiato, con le braccia
aperte a croce e lo sguardo fisso, rivolto al tabernacolo. Nutriva,
altresì, una tenera devozione nei riguardi della Madre di Dio. Per questo,
oltre alla recita quotidiana del Rosario e dopo la celebrazione della messa,
aveva molta familiarità con le “Glorie di Maria” di S. Alfonso M. De Liguori,
grande maestro di teologia morale. Non mancava di accostarsi quotidianamente all’Eucarestia
ed al sacramento della penitenza, tanto che il suo confessore si trovava assai
spesso in difficoltà nel dargli l’assoluzione, non avendo materia su cui
accordargliela.
Uomo di grande cultura,
nel 1845, ricevette la nomina ad assistente generale dell’ordine. Ricoprì per
obbedienza tale carica ritenendosene sempre indegno. Ciononostante svolse tale
mandato complessivamente tre volte (dal 1845 al 1848; dal 1850 al 1853 e dal
1856 al 1858). Si rifiutò sempre e fermamente, però, di ricoprire la carica di
abate generale, declinandone le responsabilità, in quanto la Vergine glielo
avrebbe proibito. Durante l’espletamento dei tre mandati fu costretto a vivere
presso il monastero di Nostra Signora di Tamish, dove era la casa generalizia
dell’ordine maronita. Ciò lo obbligava a spostarsi di frequente a Kfifane, dove
insegnava teologia morale. Tra i suoi allievi vi fu il già nominato S. Charbel
Makhlouf.
La sua sterminata
preparazione teologica non gli impedirà di essere vicino alla comunità dei
fratelli e dei fedeli (eccezion fatta per le donne che, secondo un’antica
tradizione, era vietato ai monaci di frequentare). Quando non pregava o non
insegnava, era immerso nello studio e nella rilegatura degli antichi
incunaboli: arte trasmessagli dal padre che era stato rilegatore.
Il Beato Nimatullah, nel
1858, ammalatosi gravemente di polmonite per l’inclemenza del clima, morì il 14
dicembre di quell’anno, nel monastero di Kfifane, invocando il nome della
Vergine ed affidandosi a Lei.
Al momento della morte
una grande luce illuminò l’umile stanza in cui si era spento, ed un soave odore
aromatico si sprigionò dal suo corpo, rimanendo in quel luogo per diversi
giorni dopo. La sua fama di santità, già molto viva durante la sua esistenza,
si consolidò dopo la morte, anche grazie ai molti miracoli, ottenuti per sua
intercessione, che fiorirono e continuano a fiorire intorno alla sua tomba a
Kfifane, dov’è conservato il suo corpo miracolosamente incorrotto.
Il processo di
beatificazione iniziò nel 1926. Fu dichiarato venerabile il 7 settembre 1989.
L’accertata guarigione prodigiosa dalla leucemia di un giovane libanese fu il
miracolo che fece proclamare Beato, dal papa Giovanni Paolo II, il venerabile
Nimatullah il 10 maggio 1998, durante una solenne celebrazione in piazza S.
Pietro.
E' stato proclamato santo
da Giovanni Paolo II il 16 maggio 2004.
Autore: Francesco
Patruno
