St Charbel helps Beth Burns during her pregnancy in Australia.

Maronite Catholics and people from various religions, backgrounds and cultures came from far and wide to catch a glimpse of the relics of three Lebanese Maronite Catholic saints at St Maroun’s Maronite Catholic Church, Greenslopes in Queensland, Australia in October 2005.

Nine year old Celeste Burns travelled with her family from Lismore in New South Wales, Australia to see the relics of the Lebanese Maronite Catholic saints of St Charbel, St Rafqa and St Nemetallah at St Maroun’s Maronite Catholic Church, Greenslopes in Queensland, Australia which were being displayed from the 27th October 2005 to 29th October 2005 and to say thank you for the miracle performed by St Charbel.

Her mum, Beth Burns, who had suffered serious pregnancy complications while carrying Celeste, said it was through the intercession of St Charbel that Celeste was born. Beth said in the seventh month of her pregnancy with Celeste, she was having complications and her daughter “was in a bit of danger”. Beth said doctors had told her it was likely she would need an emergency caesarean section.

Beth said a family member had just returned from Lebanon with some blessed oil from St Charbel’s tomb which is located at St Maroun’s Monastery in Annaya, Mount Lebanon. St Maroun’s Monastery in Annaya, Mount Lebanon is where St Charbel used to pray, meditate, Labour, fast and sleep. “I was anointed with the oil and from that moment on I did not have any pain for the rest of my pregnancy,” Beth said.

Beth said she promised St Charbel to name her child after him hence Celeste’s middle name is Charbel. Celeste had developed a deep devotion to St Charbel and was thrilled and excited to see the relics at St Maroun’s Maronite Catholic Church, Greenslopes in Queensland, Australia. Beth and Celeste travelled from Lismore in New South Wales, Australia to visit the relics on the 28th October 2005.

“St Charbel is always performing wonderful miracles, but you never think it is going to happen to you,” Beth said. She hoped the relic’s visit would promote devotion to all saints, who could intercede for them.

St Maroun’s Maronite Catholic Church Relics Committee co-ordinator Peter Torbey said thousands of people visited the relics at the Church. The relics were on their first visit outside Lebanon and were also displayed in other states in Australia which included Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney and Wollongong.