For "Fun with Saints" today, I would like to highlight the universal nature of the Church by showcasing a Saint from the Maronite Catholic Church. St. Nimatullah Kassab was born in Lebanon in 1808. He was given the name Youssef at birth. His grandfather was a priest of the Maronite Church.
After finishing his studies at a school run by the monks of the Lebanese Maronite Order, Youssef joined the order himself. Upon entering the novitiate, he took the name Nimatullah meaning "the grace of God." He spent his initial formation period in the monastery learning how to bind books and in frequent prayer. He made his religious profession of vows in November 1830, after which he was sent for further formation to pursue ordination. After ordination, he taught at the order's seminary and was the director of seminarians.
Nimatullah spent his time as a monk in prayer and service to the Order. He served on its General Council and served as Assistant Abbot General by appointment of the Holy See. He was severe on himself, but was a model of patience and forbearance to his fellow monks. He fell ill in the winter of 1858 and died after suffering with a high fever for two weeks. In 1864, when his body was exhumed for reburial, it was found to be intact. He was held in such reverence that his body was exposed to the veneration of the public until 1927.
St. Nimatullah's feast day is December 14.
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