A Message from Father Nathan
My dearest people who are all close to my heart!
Lots of love, blessings, and prayers to you all.
the Feast of St. Anthony of Padua on June 13th
We will be celebrating the Feast of St. Anthony of Padua on June 13th. He is one of the great saints next to our Blessed Mother who leads innumerable back to Christ.
Unfortunately, that great popular devotion I found in the eastern culture I don’t witness in our culture.
the intercession of our St. Anthony
As a child, I witnessed hundreds and thousands of people coming to my village every week seeking the intercession of our St. Anthony. I was always inspired by it. People of every religion would be there in the church. Every Tuesday, we have a novena to St. Anthony. The simple faith of all the people would result in great miracles.
Who is St Anthony?
St. Anthony was born in 1195 (13 years after St. Francis of Assisi) in Lisbon, which is now known as Portugal. Given the baptismal name of Fernando, his parents, Martin and Mary Bulhorn, belonged to one of the most prominent families in the city.
At the age of 15, Fernando entered the religious order of St. Augustine and became a priest. Then later, the young Augustinian monk took vows of the Franciscan order and assumed the name of Anthony in honor of the patriarch of hermits.
Anthony was first recognized for his great gift of preaching at a gathering for the ordination of Dominicans and Franciscans in 1222. After they finished their meal, the provincial suggested that one of the friars give a short sermon. There were no immediate volunteers among the group, so Anthony was asked to give “just something simple” since he presumably had no education and at the time was only 27 years old.
Anthony, while resisting the offer at first, finally began to speak in a simple, artless way. The “fire” within him became evident. His knowledge was unmistakable, but it was the passionate manner in which he spoke that truly impressed everyone in attendance. We know that not everyone was impressed by his preaching.
Legend has it that one day, faced with deaf ears, Anthony went to the river and preached to the fish. That reads the traditional tale and got everyone’s attention. The story and tradition of devotion to St. Anthony of Padua began almost immediately upon his death on June 13, 1231.
St. Anthony is known for his love for the Eucharist, scripture, and for the Blessed Mother. Pope Pius XII, in 1945, awarded St. Anthony of Padua with the honor of Doctor of the Universal Church.
I have such a special love for this great saint.
God bless you all.
With lots of love and blessing.
Ever at your service.
—Fr. Sahayanathan 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.