Recently Pope Leo XIV authorized a miracle that was linked to Béchara Abou-Mourad, a holy Lebanese monk whose heroic virtues were recognized by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010.
The miracle, according to VaticanNews, involved the sudden healing of a woman in 2009:
The miracle attributed to his intercession concerns the healing of a woman who had been wheelchair-bound due to a severe degenerative knee disease diagnosed in 1983. In 2009, after reading a brief biography of Father Béchara and recalling accounts of healings attributed to him during his lifetime, she prayed for his help during an especially painful night. The next day, she was able to walk without assistance and without pain, resuming what was described as a “perfectly healthy” life.
This means that Béchara Abou-Mourad will be known as “blessed,” and will be officially beatified at a ceremony at a later date.
Who was Béchara Abou-Mourad?
Born in Lebanon in 1853, Selim Abou-Mourad was raised in a Catholic Melkite family, and was attracted to the faith at an early age.
When he was 19, he entered the Monastery of San Salvatore, run by the Basilian Fathers. In 1874 he took the name of Béchara, meaning "Gospel, good news.”
At first Béchara was reluctant to be ordained a priest, and refused to be ordained, out of respect for the holy priesthood. However, he eventually consented and was ordained a priest for the Basilian Order of the Most Holy Savior of the Melkites on December 26, 1883.
The Dicastery for the Causes of Saints provides a summary of his holy life:
[H]e carried out intense pastoral and missionary work in the Deir-el-Qamar region of Mount Lebanon, distinguishing himself for his apostolic zeal, his ecumenical openness, and his charitable dedication to those most in need. His life was characterized by a profound spirituality and a constant commitment to serving the faithful, combining itinerant ministry with spiritual guidance.
Béchara’ health began to fail in 1922 and suffered from a variety of health problems during the final years of his life.
Many revered him for his holiness during his life and after his death in 1930, his cell became a place of pilgrimage.
Ever since his death a variety of miracles have become associated with him and his intercession and he is now known as “blessed.”
