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 | January 10, 2021

From The Desk Of Father Nathan | January 10, 2021

Together, We Are the Church. A universal body of believers, delivering God’s message of hope and love to everyone, everywhere. Your generosity to the Archbishop’s Charity and Development Drive, ABCD, serves the Church so that the Church can serve you.

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From The Desk Of Father Nathan | January 3, 2021

From The Desk Of Father Nathan | January 3, 2021

Happy New Year. Goodbye, 2020. Hello, 2021. We have all experienced a most unusual year. Our lives have had to adjust to never-ending uncertainties that shake our personal and public lives. We have witnessed a shutdown in our thoughts and actions all over the world…

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From The Desk Of Father Nathan | December 20, 2020

From The Desk Of Father Nathan | December 20, 2020

Merry Christmas to You! “JOY TO THE WORLD” Fourth Advent of Sunday. In this season…when the people were all tired, worried, concerned, and waiting with lots of perplexities, the Lord incarnated Himself and opened up a new world of love to His people.

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From The Desk Of Father Nathan | November 1, 2020

From The Desk Of Father Nathan | November 1, 2020

On November 2nd we are going to celebrate All Souls Day. This is a holy day set aside for honoring the dead. The day is primarily celebrated in the Catholic Church, but it is also celebrated in the Eastern Orthodox Church as well as a few other denominations of Christianity.

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From The Desk Of Father Nathan | October 25, 2020

From The Desk Of Father Nathan | October 25, 2020

Every week as we profess our faith, we express… “I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic
Church and THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS.” The author of this letter to the Hebrews wrote. “Therefore since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and the perfecter of faith.” (12.1-2)

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