From the Desk of Father Nathan

St Gabriel Catholic Church | Pompano Beach

A Message from Father Nathan

My dearest people closest to my heart!

God bless you and your generous heart.

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

Solemnity of Corpus Christi, which translates from Latin to “Body of Christ.”

Sunday, June 22, 2025

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ is also known as the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, which translates from Latin to “Body of Christ.” This year we are going to celebrate the feast on Sunday, June 22, 2025. This feast originated in France in the mid-thirteenth century and was extended to the whole Church by Pope Urban in 1264. This feast is celebrated on the Thursday following Trinity Sunday or, as in the USA, on the Sunday following that feast.

Focus on the Eucharist & the Real Presence of Christ

This feast calls us to focus on two manifestations of the Body of Christ, the Holy Eucharist and the Church. The primary purpose of this feast is to focus our attention on the Eucharist. The opening prayer at Mass calls our attention to Jesus’ suffering and death and our worship of Him, especially in the Eucharist. At every Mass, our attention is called to the Eucharist and the Real Presence of Christ in it.

The secondary focus of this feast is upon the Body of Christ as it is present in the Church. The Church is called the Body of Christ because of the intimate communion which Jesus shares with His disciples. He expressed this in the gospels by using the metaphor of a body in which He is the head. This image helps keep in focus both the unity and diversity of the Church. The Feast of Corpus Christi is commonly uses as an opportunity for public Eucharistic processions, which serve as a sign of common faith and adoration. Our worship of Jesus in His Body and Blood calls us to offer to God our Father a pledge of undivided love and an offering of ourselves to the service of others.

Eucharistic procession right after Saturday, June 21, vigil Mass

In order to celebrate this feast, we will have the Eucharistic procession right after Saturday, 21st, vigil Mass. We will make it a custom every year. We did it last year and will also continue this year. I invite you all to participate and collaborate with this initiative.

With lots of love and blessings.

Ever wanting to be faithful to your service,

— Fr. Sahayanathan Nathan