Our Patrons

Saint Sharbel Makhlouf

Saint Sharbel Makhlouf born May 8th 1828 in Bekaa Kafra (North Lebanon), joined the Lebanese Maronite Order in 1851. He was ordained priest in 1859. He lived in Saint Maron's Monastery, in Annaya, for sixteen years, and twenty three years in the hermitage of Annaya. Pope Paul VI declared him Blessed on December 5th, 1965, and Saint in October 9th, 1977.

Gianna Beretta Molla (1922- 1962)

Gianna Beretta was born in Magenta (Halu) October 4, 1922. After earning degrees in medicine and surgery from the University of Pavia in 1949,she opened a medical clinic in Mesero in 1950.

She specialized in paediatrics at the University of Milan in 1952 and there after gave special attention to mothers, babies, the elderly and poor. She was married to Pietro Molla on September 24, 1955. God blessed them with three children.

In September 1961 during her fourth pregnancy, she had developed a fibroma in her uterus.Before the required surgical operation , and conscious of the risk that her continued pregnancy brought, she pleaded with the surgeon to save the life of the child she was carrying. She was ready to give her life in order to save that of her child.

On the morning of April 21, 1962 Gianna gave birth to the fourth child. On April 28th 1962 amid unspeakable pain Gianna died, she was 39 years old. “Conscious immolation” was the phrase used by Pope Paul VI to define the act of Blessed Gianna on September 23, 1973.

Gianna was beatified by Pope John Paul II on 1994 during the international year of the family.