Church of Saint Anthony (Singapore)

15/09/2026

✝️ WHY DOES THE CHURCH BOW BEFORE THE ALTAR?

WHAT ARE WE REALLY HONORING?

Have you ever noticed that when the priest, deacon, or ministers enter the sanctuary, they bow before the altar?

Why?

Are they bowing to a piece of furniture?

No.

The altar is not treated as an ordinary table. It is a sign of Christ himself and a place intimately connected with the sacrifice of the Eucharist.

The General Instruction of the Roman Missal explains that the altar represents Christ, present as the sacrificial victim and as the food of the heavenly banquet.

That is why the Church treats the altar with profound reverence.

But notice something important:

We do not worship the altar.

Worship belongs to God alone.

The bow is an act of reverence toward what the altar signifies and toward the sacred mystery that will take place upon it.

And this is why the Church distinguishes between different gestures.

At the beginning and end of Mass, the ministers bow to the altar.

But when the Blessed Sacrament is present in the tabernacle, the proper gesture of adoration is the genuflection, because Christ is truly present there.

There is a beautiful connection here.

The altar reminds us of both sacrifice and communion.

On the altar, the Church celebrates the Eucharistic sacrifice of Christ, and from that same sacred table the faithful receive Christ as the Bread of Life.

So when the priest approaches the altar and bows, he is not performing an empty ritual.

He is approaching the place where the Church will celebrate the Paschal Mystery of Christ.

The altar silently preaches the Gospel before a single word is read:

Christ offered Himself for us.
Christ feeds us with Himself.
Christ calls us into communion with God.

So the next time you see the priest bow before the altar, don't see merely a man bending his head.

See a Church approaching the mystery of Christ with reverence.

The altar is not God.
But the altar points us to Christ.

And soon, upon that altar, heaven and earth will meet in the Eucharistic mystery. ✝️

📖 “We have an altar from which those who serve the tent have no right to eat.” — Hebrews 13:10

Sources: Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1383; General Instruction of the Roman Missal, 49, 274; Roman Missal, Order of Mass.

15/09/2026

SHARING IN JESUS AND MARY’S SPIRITUAL MARTYRDOM
Today, as we celebrate the Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows, we are struck by the way Mary shared so intimately in the suffering and passion of Christ.

14/09/2026

The Cross may look like a place of suffering and defeat, but through Jesus, it became a place of victory. He chose to give Himself completely out of love, showing us just how deeply we are loved. When we look at the Cross, we are reminded that even in our pain, Jesus is not far from us — He is there, meeting us in the very places where we feel most broken.

When life strips away the things we once relied on, the Cross teaches us to lean on Jesus and surrender more deeply to Him. We may not always understand what He is doing, but we can trust that our suffering is not the end of the story. In His hands, even our deepest struggles can become places where His grace, love and victory are revealed.

Read more: https://buff.ly/GKmcumY

14/09/2026

CALLED TO SERVE. COME CELEBRATE!�
The cross by itself cannot save us. In fact, the cross alone portrays a negative image of God and of life–that our God is helpless in the face of evil, injustice, and sin.

13/09/2026

With deep sadness yet with steadfast hope in the Resurrection, the Redemptorist Vice Province of Malaysia and Singapore announces the passing over of our beloved confrere, Rev. Fr. Simon Pereira, CSsR. He returned to the house of the Father on 13 September 2026 morning at the age of 78, after 55 years of religious profession and 49 years of priesthood.

We are profoundly grateful for Fr. Simon’s dedicated service to the people of God , his commitment to the Redemptorist Congregation, his profound prayer life, and his zeal and passion for the missions. We continue to celebrate his life and vocation with joy and gratitude…

Let us unite in prayer for the eternal repose of Fr. Simon and for the comfort of his family and the Redemptorist community at this difficult time.

Funeral Arrangements will be announced later.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Most Holy Redeemer, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.

13/09/2026

13/09/2026

FORGIVENESS IS PREREQUISITE TO ENTER THE KINGDOM OF GOD
One of the reasons for the lack of happiness and peace in our lives is our inability to forgive. Unforgiveness leads to an insidious growth of resentment and anger, creeping in when we feel misjudged, discriminated against, treated unjustly, pe...

11/09/2026

We would like to share to all that Father Simon Pereira is currently in ICU and in critical condition.

Kindly keep Fr Simon in your prayers, that he will continue to experience healing grace, peace and serenity. We also pray for the intercession of our Mother Mary to accompany her faithful son in this critical juncture.

We also seek everyone’s understanding and cooperation that, at this time, no visitors are permitted. We kindly ask that this request be respected.

We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your prayers and support for Fr Simon and his family.

11/09/2026

Did You Know Know These 3 Scientists Were Catholic?