Father Nathan St Gabriel | September 08, 2019
A Message from Father Nathan
My dearest people who are close to my heart.
The Birthday of the Blessed Mother Mary
Birthdays bring joy to our heart, hence we all love to celebrate birthdays. Today is the birthday of our dear Blessed Mother. Sunday liturgy always supersedes all celebrations, if not our holy mother church could have celebrated today September 8th as the birthday of our Blessed Mother. What a delight and joy to celebrate any mother’s birthday especially Our Blessed Mother, the Mother of all.
The Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health, also known as the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Vailankanni
Back home, there is a place called Vailankanni. The Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health, also known as the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Vailankanni, is a Marian shrine located at the small town of Vailankanni in Tamil Nadu, South India where I come from. It can be traced back to the mid-16th century and attributed to three separate miracles at the sites surrounding the Basilica.
The apparition of Blessed Mary and the Christ Child to a slumbering shepherd boy, the healing of a handicapped buttermilk vendor, and the rescue of Portuguese sailors from a deadly storm. These accounts are mere oral lore with no written record or attested sources to support them. The Holy See has not approved the alleged apparition and supernatural phenomena yet the cult of the Lady of Vailankanni persists.
Initially, only a simple and modest chapel was built by the Portuguese sailors who washed ashore safely. More than 500 years later, the nine-day festival and celebration is still observed and draws nearly 2 million pilgrims each year. The Shrine of Our Lady of Vailankanni is also known as “the Lourdes of the East” because it is one of the most frequented pilgrimage centers in India. Today thousands and thousands of people will be gathered there celebrating the birthday of our Blessed Mother.
Celebrating her birthday is a way of celebrating her personhood. We celebrate her simply for being herself. We do not necessarily focus in on any of the unique, beautiful and profound aspects of her life today, however, we simply celebrate our Blessed Mother because she was created and brought into this world by God and that alone is worth celebrating…
We honor her simply because we love her and we celebrate her birthday as we could celebrate the birthday of anyone we love and care for.
Hail Mary full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women and blessed is fruit your womb Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Blessed Mother, we ask that you wrap all of your St. Gabriel children under your mantle. Lead all of us closer to your son Jesus Christ. Show us the ways and means to go to your Son.
Happy birthday, Blessed Mother! We love you dearly!
With lots of love and ever at your service
Fr. Sahayanthan Nathan
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Past Messages from Father Nathan
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | September 03, 2023
“Our Lady of Good Health” is Our Lady of Vailanganni, popularly known in southern India. We will remember her miracles on September 9th with a special mass and celebration.
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | August 27, 2023
Aug. 28 is the memorial of St. Augustine, bishop and doctor of the Church. He’s one of the most influential Church Fathers and theologians in history.
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | August 13, 2023
Holy Days of Obligation | The Catechism of the Catholic Church
The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains holy days of obligation this way:
Family needs or important social services can legitimately excuse the obligation of Sunday rest (specified in the Fourth Commandment). The faithful should see that legitimate excuses do not lead to habits prejudicial to religion, family life, and health {CCC 2185}.
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | August 06, 2023
St. Clare’s feast day is August 11th. Known as the patron saint of television because when she was able to see and hear mass on the wall of her room.
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | July 30 2023
August 4th we celebrate the feast of St. John Vianney who is the patron saint of priests – a French priest, a renowned confessor with supernatural powers. Baptiste-Marie Vianney, also called Cure d’Ars, (born May 8, 1786, Dardillly, France—died August 4, 1859, Ars, canonized May 31, 1925, feast day August 4 (formerly August 9), a French priest who was renowned as a confessor and for his supernatural powers.
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | July 23 2023
Feast of Joachim and Anne | the parents of Jesus’ mother, Mary. On July 26 the Roman Catholic Church commemorates the parents of the Virgin Mary, Saints Joachim and Anne. The couple’s faith and perseverance brought them through the sorrow of childlessness, to the joy of conceiving and raising the immaculate and sinless woman who would give birth to Christ.