Clinton Township | St. Sharbel Relics

St. Sharbel Maronite Church in Clinton Township, Michigan, hosted First-Class Relics of its beloved patron, St. Sharbel Makhlouf, for the first time at the new church location.

The relics were on display for four days starting 22 January 2019, which marked the 26th Anniversary of the miracle St. Sharbel performed for Nouhad Al-Chami, healing her from hemiplegia in Lebanon years ago. Despite a major snow storm and very cold temperatures, over 4,000 parishioners and worshipers from all over the Detroit metro area came to venerate his relics and seek St. Sharbel’s intercession.

The schedule of events began with the veneration of the relics followed by prayers and exposition of the Blessed Sacrament throughout the afternoon. The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by the Most Rev. A. Elias Zaidan, Bishop of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles, along with multiple priests who visited from near and far.

His Excellency, Gabriel Issa, Ambassador of Lebanon to the United States, was also present along with Mrs. Souzan Mouzi, the Consul General of Lebanon in Detroit, and local city officials. 

Following the Divine Liturgy, a reception in the church’s hall took place for everyone in attendance.

The schedule for the rest of the week included morning Liturgies celebrated by Chorbishop Alfred Badawi, Pastor of St. Sharbel Church, and followed throughout the day with prayers, confessions, and Healing Liturgies in the afternoon. The Chaldean Catholic Community and the Syriac Catholic Community in Metro Detroit also honored St. Sharbel by celebrating special Healing Liturgies at St. Sharbel Church on behalf of their communities.

Heartfelt thanks goes to all the volunteers who spent countless hours preparing for the week and making it a very memorable and hospitable event for all. Through the intercession of St. Sharbel, may our Lord always bless the Maronite Community of Clinton Township, Michigan, and all those who enter the church’s doors.