Youssef Kassab was born in Hardeen of Batroun , in 1808 . His father was Gerges Kassab , and his mother Maryam Raad.

He entered the Lebanese Maronite order`s school at Saint Anthony`s Monastery in Houb in 1816 stayed there until 1822.

He joined the noviciate group at Saint Anthony`s Monastery of Kozhaya in November 1828 , adopting the name Brother Nimatullah . There , he learned the craft of bookbinding.

Having completed his theological studies , he was ordained a priest at the Kfeefan monastery , on December 25, 1833 , by the laying-on of hands of Bishop Semaan Zouein.

He assumed the responsibility of assistant general three times:1845-1848, 1850-1853, 1856-1858.

He kept practicing the skill of bookbinding even when ha was assistant general .He taught at various schools of the Lebanese Maronite order.

Among his students was Brother Sharbel Makhlouf (Saint Sharbel), who studied under him from 1853 to 1858.

He died at St. Cyprian and Justine`s Monastery on December 14, 1858, after an incurable illness.

Pope John Paul II beatified him at Saint Peter`s Basilica in Rome on Sunday May 10,1998.

The Maronite Church celebrates his feast-day on the 14th of December.

Source: http://www.maronite-league.org.lb