Saint Nimatullah Kassab
The Maronite monk of Kfifan who taught Saint Charbel
- Rank
- Saint
- Kind
- Priest, Religious, Mystic
- Life
- 1808 – 1858
- Era
- 19th century
- Feast
- 14 December
- Countries
- Lebanon
Life story
Youssef Kassab was born in 1808 in Hardine, in Mount Lebanon, into a Maronite family. In 1828 he entered the Lebanese Maronite Order and took the monastic name Nimatullah, which in Arabic means gift of God. He professed vows in 1830 and was ordained a priest in 1833.
Much of his monastic life was tied to the monastery of Saints Cyprian and Justina at Kfifan, where he completed his studies and later taught. He taught philosophy, theology and the subjects of monastic formation in the order's seminary. One of his best-known pupils was Charbel Makhlouf, the Maronite hermit who was later also canonised. The Maronite monasteries of that period were centres of learning as well as prayer, and teachers such as Nimatullah carried much of the work of passing on the monastic tradition and the Syriac and Arabic liturgical heritage to younger monks. Many of those who passed through his classroom went on to serve in the order and in Lebanese parishes.
Besides teaching, he took on responsibilities in the leadership of the order and was known for a simple life, faithful to common prayer and work. He lived quietly and was little known outside until his death. He died on 14 December 1858 at the Kfifan monastery, and his tomb is now a pilgrimage site for Maronites.
John Paul II beatified him on 10 May 1998 and canonised him on 16 May 2004. His feast is on 14 December. He is remembered as a teacher who helped form Maronite monks in the nineteenth century.
Works and witness
- Entered the Lebanese Maronite Order in 1828 and professed vows in 1830
- Ordained a priest in 1833
- Taught in the order's seminary at Kfifan
- Teacher of Charbel Makhlouf
- Canonised on 16 May 2004
Saints from the same country
References
- Martyrologium Romanum
- Dicastery for the Causes of Saints – biographical profile
- Lebanese Maronite Order – profile of Saint Nimatullah Kassab
Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.