The ribbons of San Charbel, a popular Catholic tradition in Mexico

Devotion to Saint Charbel Makhlouf, of Lebanese origin, has found a special place in the hearts of Latin American Catholics, especially in Mexico. Devotees have adopted a particular tradition: leaving written requests on colored ribbons that they place on the figure of the saint.

Father Jonathan Ángeles Valencia, parish priest of Our Lady of Lebanon in Puebla and spokesperson for the Maronite Diocese of Mexico, explained in an interview with ACI Prensa on July 21 that this tradition originated in Mexico, specifically in the Cathedral of Our Lady of Balvanera, headquarters of the Maronites, located in the Historic Center of Mexico City.

Although the exact origin of this tradition is uncertain, “two versions of its beginning are known,” said the priest.

Father Ángeles Valencia indicated that the first version tells that a lady, grateful for a miracle received through the intercession of Saint Charbel, bought a white ribbon in a nearby store, owned by Lebanese families who had established their businesses in the area. , and placed it in the image of the saint as a token of gratitude. This cathedral is located in an area historically linked to the Lebanese community in Mexico.

On the other hand, the priest acknowledged that the second version narrates that a Lebanese merchant, owner of a store near the cathedral, placed a ribbon on the image of Saint Charbel asking for the prosperity of his business.

The colors of the Saint Charbel ribbons

Whatever its origin, over time this tradition has grown significantly. Thousands of people now place colored ribbons on the image of Saint Charbel in different places, trusting that the color of the ribbon influences the request made.

And website A specialist in the Maronite rite explains that, for example, the color blue is used to request “strength, protection and divine will.” Gold is used to ask for “enlightenment,” while pink represents “divine love of adoration and reconciliation.”

White is associated with “recovery of health, resolution of illness-related problems, and purity.” On the other hand, green is used for requests related to both work and “concentration, mental healing, hope and faith.”

Red is used to request “provisions,” such as money, work, and “solutions to difficult situations in financial or business matters.” Purple is used to ask for “mercy,” while yellow is meant for “peace.” Purple is used to “cleanse the energy of negative vibrations, witchcraft, envy and to transform bad into good.”

However, Father Ángeles Valencia indicated that “the color of the ribbon does not matter.” What really counts, he noted, is the “petition or prayer when asking for his intercession.” He added that “we should not fall into the confusion of seeing it as something superstitious or magical.”

The priest recalled that Saint Charbel “is the patron saint of those who suffer in body and soul” and invited the Catholic faithful to approach the intercession of the saint, especially those who “are going through difficult times, illness or any other both spiritual and physical situation.”