The spirited 3rd runner-up of Miss Lebanon 2016, Michele Hajal, endured a remarkable journey that took an unexpected turn.
Though she valiantly triumphed over two types of cancer, fate dealt her a devastating blow when she succumbed to Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma at the tender age of 25 in 2019.
Throughout her life, Michele was known for her unwavering faith. Even during her treatments, she clung to prayer and placed her trust in God.
Fueled by hope, she yearned for a cancer-free future, dreaming of building a life alongside her fiancé, Maroun Abi Atmeh.
But Michele’s story did not fade away with her passing. Four years later, this extraordinary woman began performing miracles across different communities.
In a remarkable turn of events, a young woman, who was roughly Michele’s age, visited Lebanon from Palestine.
She was drawn to prayer as Michele Hajal was her beloved role model and she believed that the former Miss Lebanon participant drew her closer to God during her darkest times.
Astonishingly, after her departure, she heard Michele’s ethereal voice, urging her, “open my grave, I am a Saint, my hair is long.”
Following the divine encounter, she reached out to Paula Hajal, Michele’s sister, to share this revelation. Yet, even with such compelling evidence, the Church hesitated to acknowledge the miracle.
In early 2023, Paula was contacted again by another woman, coming from Ain-El-Rammeneh. Despite being Muslim, she shared a similar background with Michele.
This courageous woman, who had also triumphed over cancer, attested that Michele had been her beacon of inspiration and the source of her unwavering hope.
One afternoon, the woman from Ain-El-Rammeneh awoke with a startle, hearing the resounding voice of Michele whispering, “Open my grave, I am a Saint, my hair is long.”
Overwhelmed by these testimonials, Paula appealed to the Church, imploring them to open her sister’s grave.
It became undeniable that these similar experiences, where the exact same words were spoken to individuals from different countries and religious backgrounds, were more than a simple coincidence.
After months, the Church finally gave its consent to undergo the process of opening Michele’s tomb. Paula went to her sister’s tomb with family members and priests and what they witnessed was beyond comprehension.
Michele was in a better state than four years ago when they bid her farewell. Before she passed away, Michele had lost all of her hair due to intensive chemotherapy yet they found her with long thick hair surrounding her flawless facial features.
Although she was pale, her skin was reportedly softer and healthier than it was before her passing. Her body was unaffected by insects or bugs and a smell of purity surrounded her dead body.
Just like other Lebanese saints such as Saint Charbel and Saint Youssef Nehmé, her body isn’t decomposing.
A commission of doctors and religious figures has been tasked with the solemn duty of examining every facet of Michele Hajal’s extraordinary case.
For this remarkable woman, her impact has transcended the earthly realm, teaching us that, “prayers do miracles”.
