Charbel Makhlouf was canonized as a Saint on October 9, 1977, with Pope Paul VI presiding. The journey to his sainthood began in the humblest of places and in the humblest of families. Youssef Antoun Makhlouf was born on May 8, 1828, the youngest of five children. His parents, Antoun Zaarour Makhlouf and Brigitta Chidiac lived in the village of Biqa-Kafra, high atop the Lebanese mountains.

Catholic faith brings greater hope and adoration than the crucifix. In the Catholic faith, the crucifix is so much more than a cross that does not depict the body of Christ on it.