
Welcome to the Maronite Mission of St. Sharbel in Stockton
أهلًا وسهلًا بكم في كنيسة القديس شربل في ستاكتون
Saint Sharbel Makhluf
Early Life:
Sharbel was born in the mountain village of Bqaa Kafra, the highest inhabited village in the Middle East, into a humble Maronite Catholic family. He was deeply spiritual from a young age, often retreating to a nearby grotto to pray, modeling the lives of the saints he admired.
Religious Life:
In 1851, at the age of 23, he left home and joined the Lebanese Maronite Order at the Monastery of Our Lady of Mayfouq, later transferring to the Monastery of St. Maron in Annaya. He took the name Sharbel after a 2nd century martyr and was ordained a priest in 1859.
Hermit Life:
In 1875, Father Sharbel felt called to a life of complete solitude and moved to the nearby Hermitage of Saints Peter and Paul, where he lived for the next 23 years. He dedicated his life entirely to the Eucharist, prayer, silence, and manual labor.
Death and Miracles:
Sharbel died on Christmas Eve 1898 after suffering a stroke while celebrating the Divine Liturgy. After his death, extraordinary lights were seen around his tomb, and when his body was exhumed, it was found incorrupt and exuding a blood-like fluid. His tomb became a place of pilgrimage, and countless miraculous healings have been attributed to his intercession—across Christian denominations and even among Muslims.
Legacy:
Saint Sharbel is one of the most beloved saints in Lebanon and throughout the Maronite diaspora. He is often referred to as the “Miracle Monk of Lebanon,” and his life is seen as a model of asceticism and mystical union with God. His shrine in Annaya attracts millions of pilgrims from around the world.

نظام القداسات في الرعية
السبت: ٥:٣٠ مساءً صلاة المسبحة
٦ مساءً القداس الإلهي
الأحد: ١٠:٣٠ ق.ظ. صلاة المسبحة
١١:٠٠ ق.ظ. القداس الإلهي
Worship Service
Saturday
5:30 pm – The Holy Rosary
6:00 pm – Divine Liturgy
Sunday
10:30 am – The Holy Rosary
11:00 am – Divine Liturgy
MINISTERING THE SACRAMENTS/MYSTERIES
Sacrament of Baptism: Send an email 1 month in advance to schedule an appointment and date with the priest
Sacrament of Matrimony: Send an email 6 months in advance (1 year in advance if there are canonical issues)
Visitation and Anointing of the Sick: Call the priest
Intentions for Divine Liturgy: Send a mail or an email with your intentions


Devotion
On the occasion of his beatification in 1965 at the Conclusion of the Second Vatican Council, Saint Pope Paul VI said: “In a world largely fascinated with riches and comfort, he helps us understand the paramount value of poverty, penance, and asceticism to liberate the soul in its ascent to God”.
We invite you to support St. Sharbel Maronite Catholic Mission in Stockton.
Your generous contribution will help us continue our pastoral and spiritual outreach.
For your convenience, you may simply scan the QR code to make a donation more easily.
May God bless your generosity.
