Photo Courtesy: Joachim D’Souza
Report: Shyla Machado
Oman, Sep 16: The Konkani Community of St Peter & Paul Church, Ruwi, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman, joyfully celebrated the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, fondly known as Monthi Fest, on Monday, September 8. The celebration was held under the spiritual guidance of Fr Stephen Lewis, OFM Cap, parish priest and spiritual director of the Konkani community.
The Monthi Fest Novena began on August 30 and continued for nine days, with daily Holy Mass each evening. The novena was prayerfully prepared with insightful reflections by Fr Ivan Pinto, OFM Cap, St Fidelis Friary (Capuchin Novitiate), Monte Mariano, Farangipet, Mangaluru. Each day focused on inspiring messages drawn from the lives of the women of the Old and New Testament, emphasizing the virtues of Mother Mary as a model of faith.
Following each novena and Mass, children and adults offered floral tributes to Infant Mary, whose statue was beautifully decorated and placed in a cradle at a specially arranged outdoor stage.
Each evening, treats and refreshments were distributed to the children and attendees, generously sponsored by the faithful members of the parish Konkani Community.
The grand celebration on September 8 saw a gathering of over 1,200 faithfuls. The festal celebrations began with a Solemn procession led by Altar Servers, Eucharistic ministers, lectors, SPPKC committee members, and priests. The statue of Infant Mary and the newly blessed paddy grains (Kanshi) were reverently carried to the Church.
The festive concelebrated mass was presided over by Fr Ivan Pinto, OFM Cap, along with concelebrants’ Fr Stephen Lewis, Fr Jesse Tejero, Fr Sebin Charalakattu, Fr Varghese Valikkodath, and Fr Francis Sunil D’Souza, all members of the Capuchin order. Fr Ivan Pinto delivered a spiritually enriching Homily that left a deep impact on the congregation. The Konkani choir, led by Prakash D’Souza, rendered melodious hymns throughout the Novena and on the Feast day, enhancing the prayerful experience.
The flower offering ceremony on the feast day began with the singing of the traditional Konkani hymn ‘Sakkad Sangatha Melyam’. Joslyn D’Souza welcomed the congregation with an introductory message on behalf of the Konkani community. The children enthusiastically showered flowers before Infant Mary, bringing joy and reverence to the occasion.
After the Eucharistic celebration, Fr Stephen Lewis proposed the vote of thanks, expressing heartfelt gratitude to all who contributed to the success of Monthi Fest 2025. Special thanks were extended to Fr Ivan Pinto for his insightful homilies, as well as to all the celebrants, committee members, volunteers, choir, altar servers, lectors, ushers, sponsors, and church staff for their dedicated service.
Fr Ivan Pinto and Fr Sunil D’Souza distributed blessed candles to the faithful sponsors (Muddhoms) of the day. The Blessed Corn, symbolic of the harvest and fresh from the paddy fields of the Konkani heartland, was later distributed along with sugarcane, in keeping with the age-old tradition.
A traditional Mangalorean vegetarian meal (Novem Jevan) was served after Mass, sponsored by generous parishioners. Volunteers ensured that the food was served meticulously to all attendees. The community’s commitment to preserving cultural identity and Mangalorean tradition was evident in every aspect of the celebration.
Goodie bags were distributed to children who faithfully brought flowers each day of the novena. On the feast day, lucky draws and games were organized, creating a joyful and inclusive environment for all gathered.
The event was successfully conceptualized and executed by the Konkani Community Committee, led by the dynamic coordinator Michael Passanha, assisted by:
• Jessie Vivian Pereira – Assistant coordinator
• Shaila D’Souza – Secretary
• Ashok Mathias – Assistant secretary
• Cyril Danthi – Liturgy & finance
• Shyla Machado – Assistant liturgy
• Rolph Pereira – Media & entertainment
• Reshma D’Costa – Cultural & entertainment
• Prakash D’Souza – Assistant cultural & entertainment
• Jerry Lewis – Assistant finance
• Don Fernandes – Volunteer coordinator
The committee’s relentless effort, supported by volunteers and parishioners, created a warm and spiritually uplifting celebration that strengthened the bond among the Mangalorean Catholic expatriates in the Sultanate of Oman.
The Monthi Fest 2025 was not just a religious celebration but a beautiful expression of cultural heritage, unity, and shared faith. It brought together generations of Mangalorean Catholics in Muscat, nurturing a spirit of belonging and gratitude. With love, reverence, and community spirit, the Konkani community of St Peter & Paul Church, Ruwi once again upheld their cherished tradition in a truly memorable way.