A Message from Father Nathan
My dearest people closest to my heart!
God bless you and your generous heart.
The Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health, also known as Sanctuary of Our Lady of Velankanni
Special Parish Mass & Celebration Sept 8.
4 PM Pass, followed by a Marian Procession and Rosary.
The Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health, also known as Sanctuary of Our Lady of Velankanni is a Christian shrine located at the town of Velankanni, Tamil Nadu, India. The shrine is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
3 Miracles Occurred at this site
The devotion has existed since the mid-sixteenth century. It is attributed to three separate events which occurred at the site: The apparition of the Madonna and Child to a slumbering shepherd boy, the miraculous healing of a handicapped buttermilk vendor and the rescue of Portuguese sailors from a deadly sea storm.
Initially, a modest chapel was built by the Portuguese from Goa and Bombay, soon after they washed ashore safely in spite of a severe tempest. An annual novena is celebrated and draws nearly 5 million pilgrims each year.
“ Lourdes of the East”
Pope John XXIII raised the Marian shrine to the status of a minor basilica via the pontifical decree Salutem Supplicibus Dilargiens, signed and notarized on November 3, 1962. He called the shrine “ Lourdes of the East” due to the massive influx of pilgrims. The shrine is located in my home state and our Blessed Mother attracts people of all faiths.
Annually 20 million pilgrims flock to the shrine from all over India and abroad, out of which an estimated 3 million people visit the shrine during its annual festival from August 29th to September 8th. People from India have such a great love and devotion to our Blessed Mother.
Parish Celebration
On Sunday, the 8th of September we are going to have a special Mass here at St. Gabriel for people at 4:00 p.m. in our vernacular language, and following the Mass we will be carrying our decorated statue of our Blessed Mother around the church, reciting the rosaries and praising our Blessed Mother. We are going to pray the rosary around the church, we will pray for those who are sick, that our Blessed Mother heals them all.
May God bless you all.
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 | September 1, 2024
VOTE NO- Florida Amendment 4, which will appear on Florida’s November 2024 ballot, is an extreme proposal that legalizes full-term abortion with no protections for the preborn child, including when the child is capable of feeling pain.
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | August 25, 2024
Pray always. Pray for each other. Pray for our nation. Let our faith in Jesus Christ sustain us in everything.
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | August 18, 2024
Pray always. Pray for each other. Pray for our nation. Let our faith in Jesus Christ sustain us in everything.
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | August 11, 2024
The Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Her assumption into Heaven — Body & Soul.
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | August 04, 2024
I have heard many concerns about the Olympic opening ceremony. It should never have happened. Turn to the Eucharist.
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | July 28, 2024
There is power in prayer. Please pray for our parish, our parishioners and our pastor. Pray for hope and healing. Prayer works!