Report: Victor Moras

Pics: Rajesh, Odi, Joyel

Salalah, Sep 17: The Konkani speaking Catholic community of St Francis Xavier Church, here, from the Sultanate of Oman on Thursday September 14 celebrated Monti fest.

It was a memorable day as the celebration brought back memories of their homeland. Fr Marian Miranda, assistant parish priest, Saints Peter & Paul Roman Catholic Church Ruwi and Fr Roshan D’Souza Madanthyar were the main celebrants.

The celebration began with the recitation of the holy rosary by Winnie Sequeira. A procession of children as well as adults with plates of flowers then moved to the grotto singing the melodious hymn ‘Sokkad Sangatha melyam’. Fr Roshan blessed the new paddy and the faithful showered flowers while the choir sang ‘Moriek Hogollsiyam’. The mass was truly a grand celebration with a meaningful liturgy and a melodious choir led by Victor Moras and Loy Mendonca and Brian D’Souza on the guitar.

In his homily, Fr Roshan emphasized the importance of Mother Mary as the epitome of love, sacrifice and kindness. The world needs to recognize the role of woman in every walk of life. It was appropriate and very meaningful in the context of the feast of Nativity. The blessed paddy corn was distributed to the devotees with a recessional hymn.

After the mass, the community rushed to Curry Restaurant Hall in the city for the celebration. The hall had a festive atmosphere and melodious music by DJ Kiran.

Creative games for children and adults were conducted by Kevin and Brian D’Souza. Frs Marian and Roshan were requested to give away the well wrapped prizes by Lawrence and Juliet D’Souza. The blessed grains of rice (novem) were ground and added to the ‘vorn’ with prayers. ‘Laudate’ was sung by the community and a sumptuous meal was enjoyed by everyone. Sugarcane was distributed as the community dispersed for the day.

The efforts that went into organizing all the events and the well coordinated time was appreciated. The entire day’s programme was organized by Victor Moras and Michael Machado from the Mangalurean community and Fausto Fernandes from the Goan community.