Blessed Stephen Nehmé

Life story

He was born Youssef (Yūsuf) Nehmé on 8 March 1889 in the village of Lehfed in Mount Lebanon, into a Maronite farming family. Because few independent records of his childhood survive, most of what is told rests on biographies kept by his Order and the Holy See.

As a young man he joined the Lebanese Maronite Order (now called the Baladite Order) and took the name Stephen. He made perpetual vows as a lay brother, meaning he was not ordained a priest, and spent most of his time at the monastery of Saints Cyprian and Justina in Kfifan, in the Batroun district. Church biographies say he did manual work for the community and was known for his silence, obedience and prayer.

He died on 30 August 1938 at Kfifan, aged 49. His tomb is in the monastery and is visited by many Lebanese faithful. The Holy See recognised a healing reported to have occurred through his intercession. On 27 June 2010 Cardinal Angelo Amato presided over the beatification in Lebanon on behalf of Pope Benedict XVI. His memorial is 30 August.

Works and witness

• Joined the Lebanese Maronite Order and professed as a lay brother
• Lived at the monastery of Saints Cyprian and Justina in Kfifan
• Did manual work for the community
• Died on 30 August 1938
• Beatified in Lebanon in 2010

Saints from the same country

Saint Charbel Makhlouf, Saint Rafqa, Saint Nimatullah Kassab, Blessed Leonard Melki

References

• Pope Benedict XVI, decree and beatification of Stephen Nehmé, 27 June 2010 (Vatican)
• Lebanese Maronite Order, biography of Blessed Stephen Nehmé
• Martyrologium Romanum

Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.