Fr. Sam Wehbe
“The essence of my priesthood and Christianity in general is to fall in love with God with passion and joy and love His people with the same passion, with a smile, with simplicity, humility and silence”
CHILDHOOD
Sam (Saba) Wehbe was born on 4 February 1972 to Wehbe and Barbara Wehbe from Blouza. He is the eight child of nine (5 boys and 4 girls). As a child, Sam loved school and attended primary school at the Maronite Sisters of the Holy Family in Blouza, complimentary school at Fr. Philip Shbay3a School in Bcharre and high school at Bcharre High School. Sam recalls that his childhood life was very simple but filled with much love and happiness. He would wake up every morning to the fresh Blouzian air and to his father’s prayers which follow him wherever he goes. The month of March was especially special in the Wehbe household as they would dedicate the whole month to praying to St. Joseph and would argue with each other about who would read the prayers that the celebrant would usually pray – off course Sam would win! He loved to play soccer, “guilli” and remembers how he used to make his own go-cart and play with it in the gardens around the family home.
VOCATION
Fr. Sam recalls that his first encounter with a thought which related to his vocation was while he was attending his first religious class in year 6. He remembers Fr. Philip Shbay3a (who became a bishop afterwards) saying “When we pray, we should understand what we say.” These words had a big impact on the young Sam whose spiritual life changed greatly after that moment. All of a sudden, he found himself analysing each word and each sentence and he started developing a good relationship with the “book”.
At the age of 15, he went camping in Kozhaiyah. It was here that he met the hermit, Fr. Antonious Chayna and then regularly started to go to confession with him and visiting him. At the age of 17, while at another retreat in Kozhaiyah he felt something unexplainable happen to him while he was praying. He began crying passionately but could not understand what had taken over him. From this moment, his life changed and he became aware of a wider meaning to his existence. He started attending the Divine Liturgy daily and helping at the church, he started to help the elderly and the sick, and he helped his father more and more in the fields. During this time, he developed a relationship with a young girl from his village. They became very fond of each other, travelling in the bus together to school, attending the Divine Liturgy together every day. This relationship lasted for 10 years, however he always thought of the priesthood in the back of his mind.
When he finished high school, Sam was confused and sought the advice of the local priest. The priest encouraged him to enter into the seminary and made the proper contacts. Sam although not convinced that this was the right decision, entered the seminary for one week. During that week, he did not feel comfortable with the environment which he was placed in and so he decided to leave even though they accepted him.
After leaving the seminary, Sam worked for 5 years between Lebanon, Sydney and Miami. He worked in many trades but always ensured that he would attend the Divine Liturgy on a daily basis. During the 5 years, he always would ask God, crying and begging, “What do you want me to do?” But there was always no response from God, no sign, no nothing. After living one year and three months in Miami, he discovered that he was asking God the wrong questions. It was here that he decided that he definitely wanted to become a celibate priest. He realised that he should have said to God, “this is my decision, please help me with my decision!”
ENTERING THE SEMINARY
Sam immediately came back to Lebanon and entered the seminary. He compares this experience to Jonah and Nineheh. Although he left the seminary, he found himself returning to it after 5 years of searching. However this time it was different, he came back of his own accord. The Bishop at the seminary forced him to study in French. Sam was very disappointed with this decision as he mainly new Arabic and English. He quickly picked up French and after his preparatory year sat for his University entrance exams in French. He did not do very well. His results were not published so he went to see the Priest who was responsible. In his mind, he had decided that if he had failed, he would leave and not return again. The priest informed him that he was accepted and from then, he excelled in his studies of philosophy and theology.
On 8 December 2002 was ordained a sub-deacon in Ghazir and on 25 August 2003 was ordained a deacon in Blouza. He did one year of pastoral experience in Zgharta with Mons. Boutros Barakat who he learnt may things from. During this time Bishop Ad Abikaram spoke to Bishop Baysari about him coming to Australia because he could speak English. Sam accepted and was ordained to the priesthood on 6 August 2004 at the Patriarchate in Diman.
COMING TO AUSTRALIA
Fr. Sam arrived in Sydney on 22 January 2005 and says that for the last seven and half years he has been living and serving at the feet of Jesus and under the wings of Our Lady and when he dies would like to die on the altar serving the Lord. Fr. Sam loves to preach from all his heart and finds great solicitude in praying the rosary while walking and admiring the stars of the sky. He also loves travelling a lot because it gives him the opportunity to spend time between heaven and earth.
Favourites
|
Patron Saint |
St. Saba |
|
Food |
Cherries and anything from the hands of his mother |
|
Singers |
Fayrouz/Wadi3 Al Safi |
|
Song |
Marmar Zamani/Mijana |
|
Book |
The Holy Bible |
|
Colour |
Light green because it is full of life |
|
Hymn |
Ya Maryam Albikrou Foukti |
|
Psalm |
Psalm 121 – The Lord our Protector |
|
Sports/Hobbies |
Playing the flute, soccer, riding on horses |
By Danny Nouh
