Habkouk said prayer gave him the power to resist despair and strengthened his faith that he would be rescued.
Fifty-two hours after he became trapped, at 7 a.m. on Feb. 8, Habkouk was rescued by a Turkish security team.
After 52 hours under the rubble left by the devastating Feb. 6, 2023, earthquake in Turkey, Bassel Habkouk was rescued by a Turkish Security team. Photo courtesy of Bassel Habkouk
A vow to Our Lady of Mantara
Habkouk said this was not the first time he and his family have turned to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
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“Since childhood, I was raised according to the traditions of my village, Maghdouché,” he said. “There I was taught the importance of Catholic holidays (Christmas, Easter, the birthday of the Virgin Mary, etc.) … I believe in the Lord and I have sought the intercession of his mother, the Virgin Mary, in the course of my life.”
“The people of Maghdouché used to make the sign of the cross whenever they left the village, saying to her: On you we place our hope, O Mother of God! And then on they went, trusting in the Lord through the intercession of Mary, and thanking her for her care for them, especially during difficult journeys.”
Habkouk also mentioned his mother’s love for God, Mary, and the saints. Every morning, he said, she goes to the shrine of Our Lady of Mantara and asks for Mary’s intercession and for her to protect her children.
Bassel Habkouk is received by his home village in Lebanon after surviving the Feb. 6, 2023, earthquake in Turkey. Photo courtesy of Bassel Habkouk
“When the devastating earthquake occurred,” he said, “she promised the Virgin Mary that if her son returned from Turkey safely, she would descend barefoot from the village to the shrine of Our Lady of Mantara, and she would enter with me crawling to the cave. And she fulfilled her promise after I returned home.”
For Habkouk, words cannot describe his extreme happiness upon returning to Lebanon and his massive reception amid the ringing of bells, cheers, and ululations.
“The joy of the people of Maghdouché is indescribable, and I am grateful for the love of everyone who showered us with it, despite their different sects,” he said.
This story was first published by ACI MENA, CNA’s Arabic-language news partner, and has been adapted by CNA.