Saint Charbel's rosary: mysteries and prayer guide

A rosary rooted in Eastern spirituality

The Saint Charbel rosary is a meditative prayer inspired by both the Maronite Catholic tradition and popular Lebanese devotion. It is not simply a question of repeating prayers, but of entering into a silent heart-to-heart with God, in the school of a holy hermit who offered everything in silence.

This rosary is distinguished by its particular structure: it is often composed of five decades, but the prayers that accompany it are not necessarily the same as those of the classic Marian rosary. The spirit of this rosary is profoundly contemplative. Each bead becomes an invitation to inner union, in peace, humility, and abandonment to God.

Structure and prayers of the Saint Charbel rosary

The Saint Charbel rosary begins with the Sign of the Cross, followed by the Creed, to affirm one's faith. A prayer to the Holy Spirit is then recited, to dispose one's heart to prayer.

Each ten includes:

An "Our Father"

Ten "Hail Marys"

A specific invocation: "Saint Charbel, pray for us" at the end of each ten

After the five tens, a final prayer is recited, often taken from those used during novenas to Saint Charbel, which recalls his holiness and closeness in our trials.

The mysteries of Saint Charbel's rosary

Although this rosary is not based on the traditional mysteries of the rosary (joyful, sorrowful, glorious, luminous), some of the faithful like to meditate on mysteries inspired by the life of Saint Charbel, to punctuate the prayer.

Here are five suggestions for meditation:

Youssef Makhlouf's youth, in the Lebanese mountains, and his call to the consecrated life.

His entry into the monastery of Saint Maron, and his fidelity to the Benedictine rule.

His years of hermitage at Annaya, in silence, work and adoration.

His death on Christmas Eve, in great inner peace.

The miracles that followed his death, a sign of his active spiritual presence.

Each of these mysteries can be meditated on before each decade, to unite with the example of the saint's life.

Why pray this rosary today?

The rosary of Saint Charbel is a simple, yet profound, path to drawing closer to God. It is suitable for those seeking to silence inner noise, to place their intentions in the hands of a saint who lived in total abandonment, and to nourish themselves with silence.

It is also a powerful support for the sick and their loved ones, as Saint Charbel is known for his intercession in healings. To pray this rosary is to say to God, "I trust in you, take care of me through your humble servant Charbel."