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St. Rafqa

St. Rafqa, also known as Rafqa Pietra Choboq Ar-Rayès, was a Lebanese Maronite nun born on June 29, 1832, in Himlaya, Lebanon¹. She is revered for her deep faith and enduring suffering, which she embraced as a way to share in Christ’s passion.

Key Aspects of St. Rafqa’s Life:

• Early Life: Rafqa was the only child of Mourad Saber el-Choboq el Rayess and Rafqa Gemayel. Her mother passed away when she was just seven years old¹.
• Religious Calling: At the age of 14, Rafqa felt a strong calling to religious life. Despite family pressures to marry, she chose to join the Convent of Our Lady of Liberation at Bikfaya¹.
• Monastic Life: Rafqa joined the Lebanese Maronite Order in 1871. She spent her life in prayer, teaching, and serving others².
• Suffering and Faith: Rafqa experienced severe physical suffering, including blindness and paralysis, which she accepted with grace and faith, seeing it as a way to unite with Christ’s suffering³.
• Canonization: She was canonized by Pope John Paul II on June 10, 2001¹.

St. Rafqa’s feast day is celebrated on March 23rd¹.

Would you like to know more about her miracles, prayers, or perhaps some reflections on her life and faith?

¹: Wikipedia ²: Vatican ³: Saints Resource