Saint Nimatullah Kassab Al-Hardini
Early Life
Youssef Kassab was born on November 14, 1808, in the village of Hardine in northern Lebanon. He came from a deeply religious Maronite family; two of his brothers also entered religious life. The village of Hardine, perched in the mountains of northern Lebanon, was known for its strong Christian faith and its monastic traditions.
From an early age, Youssef showed exceptional intelligence and a quiet, contemplative nature. He was drawn to the religious life and entered the Lebanese Maronite Order at the Monastery of St. Anthony of Qozhaya at the age of 20.
Monastic Life and Scholarship
After completing his novitiate, Youssef took his monastic vows in 1830 and received the name Nimatullah, meaning "Grace of God." He was ordained a priest and quickly distinguished himself as a scholar and teacher.
Nimatullah was appointed professor at the monastery's scholasticate, where he taught theology, philosophy, and Syriac liturgical studies. He was known for his encyclopedic knowledge of Maronite liturgy and his ability to explain complex theological concepts with clarity and patience.
It was during this period that a young monk named Charbel Makhlouf came under his guidance. Nimatullah's influence on the future saint was profound. He taught Charbel not only theology but also the importance of silence, humility, and total devotion to God through prayer and the Eucharist.
Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary
Nimatullah was renowned for his deep devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. He recited the rosary daily with fervor and encouraged his students to develop their own Marian devotion. He would often say that Mary was the surest path to her Son.
Each evening, he would lead the community in praying the Angelus and the rosary, and he composed several prayers and hymns in honor of the Virgin Mary in the Syriac tradition.
"The path to Christ passes through Mary. In her humility, we find the model for our own surrender to God's will."
Death and Legacy
Nimatullah's health declined in his final years. He contracted tuberculosis, which was common in the cold, damp mountain monasteries. He bore his illness with the same patience and faith that characterized his entire life.
He died on December 14, 1858, at the age of 50, at the Monastery of Kfifan. His last words were a prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
After his death, many miracles were attributed to his intercession. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II on May 10, 1998. His feast day is celebrated on December 14.
Saint Nimatullah's legacy lives on not only through his own holiness but through the saint he helped form. Without Nimatullah's patient teaching and spiritual guidance, the world might never have known Saint Charbel as we do today. He reminds us of the profound impact that a faithful teacher can have on the lives of others.
See also: Saint Charbel Makhlouf, his most famous student, and Saint Rafqa, another beloved Lebanese saint. Learn more about the Maronite tradition.