From the Desk of Father Nathan

St Gabriel Catholic Church | Pompano Beach
God Bless You All

A Message from Father Nathan

My dearest people closest to my heart!
God bless you and your generous heart

Eucharistic devotion

Why do we have Eucharistic devotions like “Benediction of the Holy Eucharist?”

There is a great need now for the Eucharistic devotion. Why do we have Eucharistic devotions like “Benediction of the Holy Eucharist?”

Exposition of Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament is a very old devotion in our Church. Its purpose is to highlight the fundamental mystery of the Holy Eucharist

– that our Lord is truly present, body and blood, soul and divinty in the Blessed Sacrament.

In his Holy Thursday letter to priests, “Dominicae cenae” (1980), Pope John Paul II wrote,

“Since the Eucharistic mystery was instituted our of love, and makes Christ sacramentally present, it is worthy of thanksgiving and worship. And this worship must be prominent in all our encounters with the Blessed Sacrament”.

While emphasizing the importance of the Mass, the Holy Father then recommends various forms of Eucharistic devotion like personal prayer and periods of adoration before the Blessed Sacrament, exposition, and benediction.

Forty Hours of devotion, Eucharistic processions, Eucharistic Congresses, and a special observance of the Solemnity of Corpus Christi.

All of these devotions which focus on the Blessed Sacrament help us in our spiritual union with our Lord.

As Jesus said,

“I myself am the Bread of Life. On one shall ever thirst” (Jn 6:35).

In the ritual exposition and benediction, the priest takes the Blessed Sacrament in a small ciborium or Luna and places it reverently on a monstrance or ostensorium on the altar for adoration. All this time, a hymn of praise (such as O Salutaris Hostia) is sung as the priest incenses the Blessed Sacrament.

Periods of Adoration

  • During the period of adoration, the faithful may pray in quiet and foster a deeper spiritual communion with the Lord.
  • Liturgy of the Hours novena prayer, rosary, and readings from the sacred Scripture may be included.
  • At the end of the period of adoration, the priest again incenses the Blessed Sacrament as a hymn of praise is sung (such as Tanatum Ergo), and then blesses the congregation with the Blessed Sacrament, making the sign of the cross.
  • After the blessing, the priest reposes the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle.

May we all have love and devotion to the Eucharistic Lord. May he nurture us.

With lots of love and blessings,

Ever wanting to be faithful to your service,

— Fr. Sahayanathan Nathan

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Past Messages from Father Nathan

From The Desk Of Father Nathan | March 28, 2021

From The Desk Of Father Nathan | March 28, 2021

Holy Week is also called “Passion Week” begins on Palm Sunday and continues to Easter Sunday. Holy Week provided an opportunity for all the faithful to reflect on their personal sinfulness and their need for Christ and His sacrifice on our behalf.

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From The Desk Of Father Nathan | March 21, 2021

From The Desk Of Father Nathan | March 21, 2021

This is the year of Saint Joseph December 8, 2020, is the 15th anniversary of the Declaration of Saint Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church. Pope Francis issued an Apostolic Letter entitled Patris corde (“With a Father’s Heart”).

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From The Desk Of Father Nathan | March 14, 2021

From The Desk Of Father Nathan | March 14, 2021

What is Holy Mass?
What we do and why do we do this?

Vatican II, bulletin 1324 said the following: – The Eucharist is “the source and summit of the Christian life.” 136 ‘the other sacraments and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented towards it.

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From The Desk Of Father Nathan | March 7, 2021

From The Desk Of Father Nathan | March 7, 2021

What is the Sacrament of Confession? Why do we need confession? What are the benefits of going to confession? The Sacrament of Confession is one of the most unique and beautiful aspects of Catholicism. Jesus Christ, in His abundant love and mercy, established the Sacrament of Confession so that we as sinners can obtain forgiveness for our sins and reconcile with God, our neighbors, and the Church.

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From The Desk Of Father Nathan | February 28, 2021

From The Desk Of Father Nathan | February 28, 2021

The Mysteries of our Faith. As the Lenten Season has started please make all the efforts possible to participate in the liturgy and other pious activities of the church. These are the ways and means we are able to understand the mystery of Christ…

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From The Desk Of Father Nathan | February 21, 2021

From The Desk Of Father Nathan | February 21, 2021

We have just started the Lenten season. It’s one of the most precious and holiest seasons of the year… Let us try to know Christ and let us try to understand him. Please, make an effort to talk to Him and with Him through the readings of the scripture, praying the rosary as a family,

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