Saint Rebecca β Suffered Physical Pain from God
Saint Rebecca, a blind nun and mystic from Lebanon, is known for the miraculous healings that occur at her tomb, attracting many Arab Christians from the region.
Saint Rebecca, born in 1832 in Lebanon, was a blind nun and mystic renowned for the miraculous healings at her grave. She was born with the name Petrunila on the feast day of Saint Peter and became a nun at the age of 21 in the Congregation of Mary Immaculate, changing her name to Anissa. During her life, she devoted herself entirely to God, and her strong faith drew many followers seeking divine intervention at her resting place. In 1856, after taking her religious vows, Rebecca faced significant changes in her congregation that allowed her sisters to decide whether to remain or leave. At a pivotal moment, Saint Anthony the Great guided her, affirming that her place was within the Lebanese Maronite Order of Saint Anthony, known as the Baladiya. This direction from Saint Anthony was crucial for her spiritual journey and solidified her commitment to her faith. Ultimately, on July 12, 1871, Anissa joined the Maronite order, taking the name Rafqa (Rebecca). Her life and subsequent canonization have established her as a significant religious figure in the Maronite Catholic Church, with her tomb becoming a site of pilgrimage for many Christians in Lebanon, Syria, and Palestine seeking her intercession and miraculous healing power.