St. Rafqa
Feast day | January 20 |
Death | 250 |
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
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