Saint Neemtallah Kassab El Hardeeny
A historical Glimpse at the Monastery of St Cyprian and Justine, Kfeefan:
The old building of the monastery had existed even before the seventh century A.D., and there is a dating of the monastery as early as 717 A.D. It was named after the two martyrs Cyprian and Justine when it was converted in 1230 into a patriarchal see in the days of Maronite Patriarch Daniel of Shamat.
In 1766 the Lebanese Maronite Order received the monastery, whose first superior was appointed in 1775.
The monastery became a major seminary for teaching philosophy, theology, literature, and law. Among its graduates were a large number of priests, including Father Nimatullah Kassab al-Hardeeny, Father Charbel Makhlouf (saint Charbel), Father Emmanuel Gemayel and Father Nimatullah al-Kafry… Studying was resumed in it in 1891.
In 1897, superiors added another boarding school.
In 1899, the novitiate was erected in the monastery and lasted until 1950.Then it was erected again in it in 1977, and has remained there ever since.
The monastery currently contains the tombs of Blessed Nimatullah Kassab al-Hardeeny and Righteous Brother Estephan Nehmeh.
Notice on the life of Blessed Nimatullah Kassab al-Hardeeny:
Youssef Kassab was born in Hardeen of Batroun, in 1808. His father was Gerges Kassab, and his mother Maryam Raad.
He entered the Lebanese Maronite Order’s school at Saint Anthony’s Monastery in Houb in 1816 stayed there until 1822.
He jointed the novitiate group at Saint Anthony’s Monastery of Kozhaya in November 1828, adopting the name Brother Nimatullah. There, he learned the craft of bookbinding.
He made solemn profession on
November 14, 1830.
Having completed his theological studies, he was ordained a priest at the Kfeefan monastery, on December 25, 1833, by the laying-on of hands of Bishop Semaan Zouein.
He assumed the responsibility of assistant general three times; 1845-1848, 1850-1953, 1856-1858.
He kept practicing the skill of Bookbinding even when he was assistant general. He taught at various schools of the Lebanese Maronite Order.
Among his students was Brother Charbel Makhlouf (saint Charbel), who studied under him from 1853 to 1858.
He died at St. Cyprian and Justine’s Monastery on December 14, 1858, after an incurable illness.
After transferring and sealing the body, beatification case was submitted to the Apostolic See in Rome on May 4, 1926
He was declared Venerable on September 7, 1989.
At the behest of His Beatitude Patriarch Nasrallah Peter SFEIR, his body was examined and transferred to a new coffin on May 18, 1996.
Several cures were effected through his intercession:
-Raising a child from death.
-A healing from a neurological disease.
-Healing a blind person. And healing one from cancer.
Pope John Paul II beatified him at Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome on Sunday May 10, 1998.
And on Sunday, May 16, 2004 Pope John Paul II declare him Saint In Rome.
The Maronite Church celebrates his feast-day on the 14th of December.
From his sayings:
“The monk in his monastery is like a king in his palace: His kingdom is his order; his soldiers are his brethren; his glory is his virtue and sanctity; his crown is his love of God and his order; his scepter is his chastity and purity; his weapon is his poverty, obedience and prayers; his royal garment is his humility and gentleness.”
“The wise man is the one who can save his soul.”
Prayer
O Heavenly Father, the source of all holiness,
You are glorified in your saints.
You have bestowed grace upon the Blessed Nimatullah,
so he forsake the world to live for You and with you in the solitude of the monastery.
O Lord Jesus, the Holy One of all saints,
You have called Blessed Nimatullah and filled him with Your grace and blessing. So he could follow You on the harrow path of perfection and holiness.
He followed Your path carrying his cross with joy,
the cross of communal life, by which he was sanctified.
O Holy spirit, Sanctifier of saints,
you have inspired our patron Nimatullah,
so that he became a monk and lived with his brethren in the monastery,
where he educated them and managed all things wisely and prudently.
He was an ideal teacher and encourager to Saint Charbel his disciple,
and many others.
We beseech You, O Holy Trinity,
Through the Blessed Nimatullah to enlighten the path of salvation before us,
for You are the first and last aim.
Bring us back to You so that we may renew the image
and the likeness that You have installed in us.
We thank You and glorify You with our mother,
the Blessed Virgin Mary,
of whom the blessed Nimatullah was a devout,
and with Your saints,
You who live and reign in holiness for ever,
Amen.