St. Rafka

St. Rafka (St. Rebecca) Biography

St. Rafka, also known as St. Rebecca, was a Lebanese nun and saint who lived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. She was born as Hanneh Maroun in 1832 in the village of Bqosta in northern Lebanon. Hanneh was the oldest of six children, and she grew up in a devout Christian family.

As a young woman, Hanneh felt called to religious life and entered the convent of the Sisters of Mercy in Beirut. She took the name Rafka, which means “little lamb,” and dedicated herself to a life of prayer and service to others.

St. Rafka spent most of her life in the convent, caring for the sick and the poor. She was known for her compassion and her devotion to the suffering, and she spent many hours praying and interceding for others. She was also a deeply spiritual woman, and she had a close relationship with God.

In 1871, St. Rafka suffered a serious illness that left her partially paralyzed and unable to walk. Despite her suffering, she remained cheerful and optimistic, and she continued to serve the sick and the poor. She believed that her suffering was a gift from God, and she offered it up for the salvation of others.

St. Rafka died in 1885 at the age of 53, and she was canonized a saint by the Catholic Church in 2001. St. Rafka is the patron saint of the sick and the disabled. The feast of St. Rafka is celebrated on March 23rd or on April 28th in the Maronite Church.

Popular St. Rafka Rosary

Prayers to St. Rafka

Prayer of Intercession to St. Rebecca

Dear St. Rebecca, we turn to you in prayer and ask for your intercession and guidance. You were a woman of deep faith and compassion, and you dedicated your life to serving the sick and the poor. Help us to follow your example and to be instruments of love and mercy to those in need. May we be guided by your example and find strength in our faith, even in times of hardship and suffering. Amen.

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Prayer to St. Rafka for the Sick

O St. Rafka, patron saint of the sick and the disabled, we ask for your help and guidance as we face the challenges of illness and disability. Help us to find strength in our faith and to trust in God’s love and care for us, even in times of hardship. May we find inspiration and guidance in your example, and may we always be guided by the love of Jesus. Amen.

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Quotes by St. Rafka

• I am unable to walk, but my heart and my soul walk with the poor and the sick.
• I offer up my sufferings for the salvation of the world.
• Prayer is the key to heaven.
• Love and compassion are the greatest gifts we can give to others.
• The love of God is the most powerful force in the world. It can heal the deepest wounds and bring hope to the darkest places.
• Suffering is a gift from God, an opportunity to grow in faith and to offer up our sufferings for the salvation of others.
• The love of God is the light that guides us through this world and into eternity.
• Prayer is the bridge that connects us to God and to one another. May it be a constant presence in our lives.

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Poem about St. Rafka

Saint Rafka, shining light From Lebanon, you came You dedicated your life To serve in Jesus’ name

You faced many challenges But your faith remained strong You followed God’s call To live a life of love

You worked as a teacher Inspiring young minds to grow Your kindness and compassion Helped many hearts to know

You suffered in your later years But your spirit never wavered You offered up your pain For the salvation of others

Saint Rafka, we honor you Your faith and love inspire May we follow in your footsteps And always seek to serve with fire

Pray for us, dear Saint Rafka Guide us on our earthly path May we live a life of love In the light of Jesus’ wrath

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Reflection on the Feast of St. Rebecca (St. Rafta)

Today, the Catholic Church celebrates the feast of St. Rafka on March 23rd. 

The feast of St. Rafka is a time to remember and honor the life and legacy of this remarkable woman, who devoted her life to serving God and others. Born Boutroussieh El-Rayess in Lebanon in 1832, St. Rafka faced many challenges and setbacks throughout her life, including the early death of her mother and pressure from her family to marry. However, she remained steadfast in her faith and her commitment to serving God, eventually joining the Mariamettes and later the Lebanese Maronite Order.

St. Rafka was known for her devotion to prayer and her willingness to make sacrifices for the sake of others. She spent much of her life as a teacher, working to educate and inspire young people, and she was also known for her healing powers, helping to cure those who were sick or in need. In her later years, she suffered from a number of physical ailments, but she remained steadfast in her faith and her commitment to serving God, even as she experienced great pain and suffering.

As we celebrate the feast of St. Rafka, we are reminded of her example of faith, compassion, and selflessness. May we be inspired by her example and strive to follow in her footsteps, always seeking to serve God and others with love and compassion. We pray that through her intercession, we may be granted the strength and courage to persevere in our faith, no matter what challenges we may face. Amen.

Saints Similar to St. Rafka

You may also be interested in reading the St. Rafqa. St. Rafka and St. Rafqa were both Lebanese Maronite nuns known for their holiness and devotion to God. They are often linked due to their similar names and backgrounds. Next up: Biography of St. Rafta

 

Also check out our handmade St. Rafka Medal and St. Rafka Rosary and St. Rafka Rosary Bracelet .