From the Desk of Father Nathan

A Message from Father Nathan

My dearest people closest to my heart!

God bless you and your generous heart.

The Jubilee and the Opening of the Holy Doors

Once every 25 years

Once every twenty-five years, the Church celebrates the jubilee year, traditionally called Holy Doors.

symbolic meaning

The Holy Father has traditionally struck a sealed door within St. Peter’s Basilica three times with a silver hammer. The striking of the door has a symbolic meaning:

1.  Moses struck the rock so that water would pour out miraculously to quench the thirst of the people (Numbers 20:6).

The Holy Year of the Jubilee is a time when God pours forth abundant graces to quench the thirst of our souls.

2.  God struck the earth to free St. Paul and Silas from prison, which resulted in the jailer and his family asking for baptism (Acts 16:25ff).

God has struck our hearts, opening them to His graces, beginning with the saving grace of Baptism.

3.  As our Lord hung upon the cross, the soldier struck His Most Sacred Heart, and flowed blood and water, symbols of the Holy Eucharist and Baptism (John 19:31f) which nourish each of our souls.

Symbolic Release of Graces

In all, the striking of the door symbolized the release of graces, flowing abundantly to the faithful. Moreover, when the door opens, the obstacles of passage to our Lord are removed.

During the Holy Year, we hope and pray that the obstacles of personal weakness, temptation, and sin will be removed so that we will have the holy union with our Lord.

Members of our Parish will be visiting the Holy Doors

In a way, our parish is going to be present for that celebration from the 24th of this month. We will be there in Rome for a few days and will be spending fewer days in Assisi and then will be returning back. This is the first time I am going to be with a group of parishioners taking this pilgrimage; hence, may I request you keep the group in your esteemed prayers. I want everyone in the group to feel safe, healthy, and smooth. Please hold all of them in your prayers.

Holy Week

Soon, we will be into Holy Week; let us pray that we will have a meaningful celebration of Holy Week. I do appreciate all of you for taking this Holy Lent in a more serious manner. The number of people attending daily Mass is on the increase. There are lots of people who attend the Stations of the Cross.

I do appreciate all of you for doing so.

May God bless you. Here after, every Friday at 4:00 p.m. when we pray the Stations of the Cross, I will be available also for confessions. Whoever wants to make good use of it, please do so. May we all walk along with Christ in these day of Holy Lent

With lots of love and blessings.

Ever wanting to be faithful to your service,

— Fr. Sahayanathan Nathan