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 | July 07, 2024
St. Benedict. Father of monasticism. Patron Saint of Europe. Protector. He is the patron saint of a wide variety of people and needs, including: against poison, agricultural workers…
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | June 30, 2024
Important Basilica – St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, Basilica of St. John – Ephesus, St. Thomas Cathedral Basilica in Chennai India + the Story of St. Thomas.
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | June 23, 2024
The Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, apostles. The rock on which the Church is built and the origin of our faith -the protectors and guides.
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | June 16, 2024
Happy Father’s Day. Officially recognized as a holiday in 1972 by President Nixon. Our Fathers are our heroes and intercessors.
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | June 09, 2024
June 13 – We celebrate the Memorial of St. Anthony of Padua. The patron saint of my village. He was called the “Arca Testamenti”, meaning “the living repository of the Holy Scriptures”.
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | June 06, 2024
Transubstantiation – The Real presence of Jesus Christ in the communion bread and wine – body, blood, soul, and divinity.