Media Release
Salalah, Sep 14: The Konkani Catholic community of St Francis Xavier Church, Salalah, Sultanate of Oman, joyfully celebrated Monthi Fest, the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, on Sep 11 with deep faith, devotion, and traditional fervour.
The celebration began with prayer and the blessing of the new corn, a tradition that expresses gratitude to God for His blessings and the fruits of the harvest. This was followed by the showering of flowers in front of the statue of Mother Mary, a symbolic gesture of love and devotion. Following this, the faithful took part in a reverent procession to the church, led by altar servers and members of the community, carrying the statue of Mother Mary in prayerful devotion.
A solemn Holy Mass was then celebrated by Fr Lawrence D’Souza, who had come all the way from Kargal parish in Shivamogga, India, adding special grace to the occasion. In his homily, Fr Lawrence emphasized the importance of family values and a mother's love, drawing from the life of Mother Mary. He encouraged the faithful to live in love and faith, which form the foundation of Christian life.
The programme was well-organized by the committee led by coordinator Abhilash Sequeira. The dedicated efforts and wholehearted cooperation of the committee members and volunteers contributed greatly to the smooth and successful conduct of the celebration.
The choir group, led by Naveen Serrao and Samantha D’Souza, enhanced the spiritual atmosphere with their melodious and devotional singing, adding solemnity and beauty to the Holy Mass.
The Konkani Catholic community expressed its heartfelt gratitude to all the sponsors, organizers, volunteers, choir members, and everyone who contributed their time, talents, and resources towards making the celebration a memorable success. The programme concluded with the traditional 'Nove Jevan', followed by a joyful community gathering. Members came together in a spirit of unity and fellowship, sharing the joy of the feast and strengthening their bonds with one another. The occasion was a memorable celebration of Mother Mary, family, tradition, gratitude, and togetherness.