Life of the Saints

The story of Saint Martha

A close friend of JesusSt Martha is a central figure in the Gospels. She lives in Bethany, a village near Jerusalem, with her sister Mary and her brother Lazarus. This family was close to Christ: Jesus was received there with affection, and he loved to stay there, finding rest, welcome and privacy in their home.Marthe appears in several Gospel scenes. The best known is in the Gospel according to Saint Luke: Jesus comes to their home, and Martha busies herself with domestic chores while Mary, her sister, remains seated at the Master's feet to listen to him. Martha, annoyed, asked Jesus to intervene. He gently replies:"Martha, Martha, you worry and fuss about many things... Only one is necessary." (Lk 10:41-42)This word is not a harsh criticism, but an invitation to balance. Martha, a woman of service, is precious, but Jesus reminds her of the importance of listening, of contemplation, of being beyond doing. Read more...

The story of Saint Pantaleon

A doctor at the heart of the faithSaint Pantaleon was born in Nicomedia (now Turkey) at the end of the 3rd century, into a noble family. His name means "all compassionate". His father, Eustorgius, was a pagan, but his mother, Eubulus, was a Christian. She died when he was still young, and he was brought up in the pagan faith. Gifted in the sciences, he studied medicine with one of the most famous physicians of the time and soon became a respected practitioner at the court of the Emperor Maximian.His life was turned upside down when he met a Christian priest, Hermolaos. The latter introduced him to Christianity and invited him to reflect on the power of Christ in the art of healing. Pantaleon began to heal not only through his medical skills, but also through prayer. One day, he healed a blind man in the name of Jesus. This miracle confirmed his faith: he asked to be baptised and devoted his life to serving the sick, free of charge. Read more...

The story of Saint Anne and Saint Joachim

Grandparents of the MessiahSt Anne and St Joachim are the parents of the Virgin Mary, and therefore the maternal grandparents of Jesus Christ. Although they are not mentioned in the canonical Gospels, their story is transmitted to us by the apocryphal Gospels, in particular the Protevangel of James. These ancient texts, although not recognised as inspired, have nourished Christian tradition and devotion since the first centuries.Joachim and Anne lived in Jerusalem, or perhaps in Galilee, according to some traditions. They were pious, generous to the poor, faithful to Jewish Law, but their couple suffered a great sorrow: they had no children. In the Jewish culture of the time, this was seen as a disgrace, a sign of divine disgrace. They bore this burden in prayer and hope. Read more...

The story of Saint James

A fisherman called by ChristSaint James the Greater was the son of Zebedee and the brother of John the Evangelist. He was one of the first disciples called by Jesus, when he was a fisherman on Lake Tiberias. Jesus chose him, along with his brother John, to form part of the very intimate circle of apostles. He witnessed key moments in Christ's life: the Transfiguration on Mount Tabor, the resurrection of Jairus' daughter, and the agony in the Garden of Olives.Named with John the "sons of thunder" (Boanergès), James was distinguished by his fiery temperament, his ardent zeal and his unshakeable loyalty. Jesus channels this energy into making him a fiery witness, ready to give his life for the Gospel. Read more...

The story of Saint Charbel Makhlouf

A childhood in Lebanon, between poverty and faithYoussef Antoun Makhlouf was born on 8 May 1828 in the remote village of Bekaa-Kafra, in northern Lebanon. His father died when he was still a child, and his mother brought up her five children alone. From an early age, Youssef showed great piety. Fascinated by the example of two of his uncles, Maronite monks, he decided at the age of 23 to enter the Notre-Dame de Mayfouq monastery. There he received the religious habit and took the name Charbel, in homage to a 2nd century martyr. This change of name marked the beginning of a life devoted entirely to God. Charbel was born in the monastery of Notre-Dame de Mayfouq, in Paris. Read more...