Simon Srugi
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The Venerable Br. Simon Srugi SDB |
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| Born | Simon Srugi 27 June 1877 Nazareth |
| Died | 27 November 1943 (aged 66) Beit Gemal |
| Venerated in | Catholic Church |
Venerable Simon Srugi was a Salesian Brother, who worked in Beit Gemàl.
Br. Simon Srugi, SDB, was born at Nazareth on 27 June 1877, last of ten children. He lost both parents at the age of 3, and was brought up by his grandmother. In 1888 he went to the Catholic orphanage in Bethlehem, run by Fr. Belloni. Simon liked it so much there that when he was 16, he asked to become a Salesian.
He was sent to the Oratory- Agricultural school at Beit Gemàl, he finished his studies and made his novitiate becoming a Salesian Brother. He spent his entire life there. He taught many young Muslims who called him “Mu'allem Srugi”, and said: "He is as good as a cupful of honey".
He looked after the mill. He also worked at the infirmary. He used to doctor the poor and the sick from the fifty villages around. Sick people said of him: "Other doctors do not have the blessed hands of Brother Srugi. His hands have power and Allah’s kindness”.
He was so gentle and kind that local Muslims used say: “after Allah there was Srugi”. Don Bosco wanted his Brothers to be with the people and bring the Gospel to them through deeds and prayer. Often people would come just so he could lay hands on them. Mothers gave him their children to bless. When there was a dispute in the village they would come to him: he would referee and work for peace.
He found his nourishment in the Eucharist and the Gospel. He spent his free time before the Blessed Sacrament. In 1908 when Don Rua visited The house at Beit Gemàl, he said: "Follow him up well, record his words and deeds, because we are dealing here with a saint".
He died from malaria on November 27, 1943, at 66 years of age. His body was laid to rest at Beit Gemal near the tomb of St. Stephen. On April 2, 1993 he was declared Venerable.
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