Saint Nimatullah Kassab
Saint Nimatullah Youssef Kassab ', O.L.M., also known as "Al-Hardini" and Father Nehmet-Allah Kassab, (1808 – 14 December 1858) was a Lebanese monk, priest and scholar of the Maronite Church. He is believed to have performed many miracles during his life due to his deep spirituality and his high virtues. He was declared a saint by the Catholic Church in 2004.
Quotes
[edit]- A monk's first concern, night and day, should be not to hurt or trouble his brother monks.
- Blessed be the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin.
- Better death than to be appointed Superior General.
- Those who struggle for virtue in community life will have greater merit [than hermits].
About
[edit]- During the two civil wars of 1840 and 1845, he suffered greatly with his people. His brother, Fr Elisha, suggested he withdraw to a hermitage, but he replied: "Those who struggle for virtue in community life will have greater merit".
- He observed that the ordinary, everyday life is a continuous martyrdom, since the monk must always be a model to his brother monks, guarding himself from becoming a source of scandal; instead, the hermit lives alone, away from all external temptations.
- We know that Father Nimatullah lived a holy life. He was a man of prayer, totally 'enraptured by God'. He spent days and nights in meditation, prayer and adoration of the Eucharist. The Virgin Mary was his patron and Father Nimatullah prayed Her Rosary. He was also a very humble, sensitive and patient person who lived his monastic vows of 'obedience, chastity and poverty' to perfection.
- Fr Nimatullah was at times also reprimanded by his superiors for being too hard on himself and too merciful and indulgent towards his brothers. He understood holiness in terms of communion and fraternal charity and is said to have remarked: "A monk's first concern, night and day, should be not to hurt or trouble his brother monks".
- Throughout his life he had a special devotion to the Virgin Mary, his "source of strength"... After the Angelus he would often repeat: "Blessed be the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin".
- In 1845 the Holy See appointed him Assistant General of the order... He served as Assistant General for two more terms, but refused to be appointed Abbot General.