Resources & Pilgrimage
Links & Pilgrimage
Official monastery resources, further reading, and practical guidance for anyone planning a pilgrimage to Annaya.
This page gathers the official sources behind the facts presented across this site, along with practical information for anyone hoping to visit Charbel's tomb in person. As an independent devotional resource, we encourage you to go directly to the monastery and the Lebanese Maronite Order for anything official — pilgrimage arrangements, donations to the monastery itself, or verified current information.
Official Monastery & Order
Monastery of Saint Maron – Annaya
The official website of the monastery housing Saint Charbel's tomb, maintained by the Lebanese Maronite Order, with history, devotional resources, and monastery news.
saintcharbel.comThe Lebanese Maronite Order
Background on the religious order Charbel entered in 1851, which today oversees more than eighty monasteries in Lebanon and abroad.
saintcharbel.com/lebanese-maronite-orderMaronite Church (UK) — Order Overview
An accessible introduction to the Order's history and mission, a useful starting point for members of the Maronite diaspora.
maronitechurch.org.ukFurther Reading & Recent Coverage
Charbel Makhlouf — Wikipedia
A thorough, well-sourced overview of his biography, canonization, and legacy, with citations to primary and secondary sources.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charbel_Makhlouf"The Miraculous Life of St. Charbel" — CNEWA
A feature article from the Catholic Near East Welfare Association exploring his life and the pilgrims who visit Annaya today.
cnewa.org"Pope Leo: A Pilgrim at the Tomb of St. Charbel" — Vatican News
Coverage of Pope Leo XIV's historic prayer visit to the tomb at Annaya on 1 December 2025, the first by any pope.
vaticannews.vaPope Leo XIV's Address at the Tomb — Vatican.va
The full official text of the Holy Father's remarks delivered at Saint Charbel's tomb during his apostolic journey to Lebanon.
vatican.vaVisiting Annaya
Plan Your Pilgrimage
Practical guidance for reaching the Monastery of Saint Maron and the tomb of Saint Charbel in person.
Getting There
- Location: Annaya, in the Jbeil (Byblos) District of the Mount Lebanon Governorate.
- Distance: Roughly 17 km from Jbeil and about 40 km (25 miles) from Beirut.
- Altitude: The monastery sits near 1,200 meters, with the hermitage higher still on the mountainside.
- Travel time: Most pilgrims arrive by car or hired taxi from Beirut, a mountain drive of roughly 1 to 1.5 hours.
- When to go: The tomb chapel welcomes visitors year-round at no charge. The 22nd of each month and his feast day draw especially large crowds.
- Before you travel: Hours and access can change — confirm current details directly with the monastery beforehand.
Before You Go
Carry a Prayer With You on the Journey
Whether you're planning a pilgrimage or simply drawing closer from afar, the novena and prayers on this site are a companion for the road.