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 | May 15, 2022 | Fifth Sunday of Easter 2022
What does the Catholic Church teach on abortion? In the modern “culture of death”, learn the truth about abortion.
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | May 8, 2022 | Fourth Sunday of Easter 2022
During May we celebrate Mary. We recall Mary’s great joy in her Son’s victory over death and prayerfully await the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | May 1, 2022 | Third Sunday of Easter 2022
During May we celebrate Mary. We recall Mary’s great joy in her Son’s victory over death and prayerfully await the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | April 24, 2022 | Divine Mercy Sunday 2022
My dear people who are close to my heart! Lots of love, blessings, and prayers to you all I am extremely delighted and so very grateful to God for His blessing he has bestowed on me with wonderful people here in our parish! I have received so many compliments from various people regarding Holy Week.
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | April 17, 2022 | Easter Sunday 2022
“He is risen! The true meaning of Easter has deep significance e in our lives for us as Catholics. Easter celebrates Christ’s resurrection from the dead. Christ is Risen!
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | April 10, 2022 | Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion
Today we celebrate the 4th Sunday of Lent. Pray. Fast. Give. + Pray for peace among nations and that our hearts may be free.