Feast Day December 14th
Youssef Kassab was born in 1808 in the northern village of Hardine, one of the seven children of Gerghis and Mariam.
From a young age, Youssef preferred solitude over company so he could commune with God and examine himself in peace. At 18, he became a novice at Saint Anthony Kozhaya and took the name Nehmetallah, which means “grace of God.”
After two years of novitiate formation, he received the angelic habit. In 1835, he was ordained a priest. He strove to perfect his daily celebration of the Divine Liturgy and often prepared for the next day’s Divine Liturgy after sunset with love, longing, piety and reverence.
Saint Nehmetallah often repeated the prayer, “Blessed be the Immaculate Conception of Mary,” and is known for saying, “Wise is he who saves his soul.”
After years of fasting and mortifications which weakened his body, he contracted pleurisy and later suffered from a fever that winter. Saint Nehmetallah passed away on December 14, 1858.
On his deathbed, holding a picture of the Virgin Mary, his last words were, “O Virgin Mary, into your hands I commend my soul.”
Prayer to Saint Nehmetallah
O Lord, Saint Nehmetallah strove for the highest peaks of sanctity by diligently practising all virtues. He subdued his earthly desires through fasting and mortifications, accompanied by frequent prayer.
Help us to realise the reality of our earthly life, as Saint Nehmetallah said, “Wise is he who saves his soul.” Through the intercession of Saint Nehmetallah, may we strive for sanctity and may our faith be supported by good works and sacrifice, so that we may be living witnesses of Your love.
We glorify You, Your Father, and Your Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.