The Miraculous Healing of Nohad El Shami

Today, on this blessed day of January 22nd, we reflect on a miracle that continues to inspire faith, hope, and devotion. It is the story of Nohad El Shami, a woman whose extraordinary healing serves as a living testament to the miraculous power of Saint Charbel and the boundless grace of divine intervention.

A Journey of Suffering and Faith

In early January 1993, Nohad El Shami, a resident of Mezarib in Mount Lebanon, faced a life-altering challenge. Married and the mother of 12 children, Nohad was struck by hemiplegia, a paralysis that rendered the left side of her body immobile. On January 9th, she was rushed to Saint Maritime Hospital in Jbeil, Mount Lebanon, where a team of doctors, including Dr. Joseph Chamy, Dr. Antoine Nachakian, and Dr. Majid Chamy, confirmed her dire condition.

Medical tests revealed severe arterial blockages—80% in her left brain and 70% in her right. The prognosis was grim. Surgery was the only potential option, but even that could not be performed immediately. The doctors advised her to return for further tests in three months, leaving her family with little hope.

Turning to Saint Charbel

In their despair, Nohad’s family turned to faith. Her eldest son, Saad, traveled to the St. Peter and St. Paul Hermitage in Annaya, where Saint Charbel had lived a life of prayer, fasting, and meditation. There, Saad prayed fervently for his mother’s healing and brought back consecrated oil and soil from Saint Charbel’s tomb. These sacred items were applied to Nohad’s body, and for the first time, she began to feel tingling sensations in her paralyzed limbs.

A Night of Miracles

On the night of January 22, 1993, Nohad experienced a divine visitation. In her dream, two Maronite monks appeared at her bedside. One of them, resembling Saint Charbel, placed his hands on her neck and performed a surgery while the second monk, later revealed to be Saint Maron, supported her by holding a pillow behind her back.

When Nohad awoke, she discovered two long surgical wounds on either side of her neck—visible evidence of the miraculous procedure. Even more astonishingly, she could move her arms and legs again. She had been completely healed.

The following night, Saint Charbel appeared to her in another dream. He said, “I did the surgery to let people see and return to their faith. I ask you to visit my hermitage in Annaya on the 22nd of every month and attend Mass regularly for the rest of your life.”

The Monthly Pilgrimage

Since that miraculous night, January 22nd has become a sacred day of pilgrimage for thousands of faithful. Each month, on the 22nd, believers from Lebanon and around the world gather at the Monastery of Saint Maron in Annaya to honor Saint Charbel’s request and celebrate this extraordinary miracle.

The pilgrimage begins at the Hermitage of St. Peter and St. Paul, where Saint Charbel spent years in prayer and solitude. Pilgrims then process to the grand basilica of the convent, where they attend a solemn Mass. Among the faithful is Nohad herself, who continues to share her story as a living witness to Saint Charbel’s intercession.

A Beacon of Faith

Nohad’s journey is not just a story of physical healing—it is a profound reminder of the power of faith, prayer, and the compassionate love of the saints. It is a call to return to God, trust in divine grace, and believe in the miraculous.

An Invitation to Reflect

As we commemorate the anniversary of this extraordinary event, let us remember the essence of Nohad’s story: unwavering faith, persistent prayer, and the belief in the power of the saints. Whether you are near or far, take a moment to join your prayers with those of the pilgrims in Annaya.

May the miraculous intercession of Saint Charbel and the enduring legacy of that blessed night continue to inspire us all, renewing our trust in God and strengthening our faith in the unseen.