A Message from Father Nathan
My dearest people closest to my heart!
God bless you and your generous heart
June 13 – We celebrate the Memorial of St. Anthony of Padua
This week on the 13th, we will celebrate the Memorial of St. Anthony of Padua (1195-1231), born in Lisbon Portugal.
He is the patron saint of my village. I have such a great admiration for this saint. He became a canon regular and then a Franciscan, preaching the Gospel everywhere in Portugal and Italy. Both as a theologian and a popular preacher, he fought vigorously against heresy. His preaching was inspired by his love of God and of souls and had an extraordinary power of conviction; it was filled with the penetrating power of the Bible.
“Arca Testamenti”, meaning the living repository of the Holy Scriptures
Pope Gregory IX, who heard him preach, called his during his lifetime the: “Arca Testamenti”, meaning “the living repository of the Holy Scriptures”. Pope Pius XII, when he proclaimed him a Doctor of the Church, declared that he based all that he said on the texts of the Gospels, and could justly be called the Evangelical Doctor.
Life, death & Miracles
St. Anthony lived for a time in France, but chiefly in Italy, and died near Padua in 1231 at the age of 36, with the reputation of great sanctity. From the day of his death, innumerable miracles caused the faithful to invoke him as a wonderworker of untiring benevolence.
An Accidental Preacher
the “Hammer of Heretics”
He became a preacher by accident. When a scheduled preacher did not show up for an ordination ceremony at Forli, the Franciscan superior told Anthony to go into the pulpit. His eloquence stirred everyone, and he was assigned to preach throughout northern Italy. Because of his success in converting heretics, he was called the “Hammer of Heretics” and because of his learning, St. Francis appointed him a teacher of theology.
St. Anthony of Padua was such a forceful preacher that shops closed when he came to town, and people stayed all night in church to be present for his sermons. He became associated with Padua because he made this city his residence and the center of his great preaching mission. After a series of Lenten sermons in 1231, Anthony’s strength gave out and he went into seclusion at Camposanpiero but soon had to be carried back to Padua. He did not reach the city but was taken to the Poor Clare convent at Arcella where he died. He was thirty-six years old, and the whole city of Padua turned out in mourning for his passing.
Saint Anthony, pray for us, that we may also live to be faithful to the church and to you.
Amen
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 | 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.
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | July 16, 2023
Be thankful to the Lord for all the blessings He showers upon us. We take things for granted and sometimes you don’t know you are blessed…