Media Release

Leiden, Sep 28: Konkani Samudhai Netherlands (KSN) celebrated Monthi Fest — the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary — on Saturday, September 12 at the Sint Joseph Church in Leiden, drawing Konkani speaking Catholic families from across the Netherlands.

The programme began with a welcome address and blessing by the community's spiritual director, Fr Richard Lobo, SVD.

This was followed by the traditional showering of flowers on the image of Maria Bambina by the children of the community, held in the open space outside the church.

Holy Mass was celebrated in Konkani. The choir, led by Lavita Lobo with musical coordination by Robert D’Almeida, provided the hymns. The children of the community also presented a special group song in Konkani in honour of Mother Mary.

The sermon, delivered in Konkani, paid tribute to St Anne and to Mother Mary, and extended the theme of the harvest feast to the care of Mother Nature. An English transcript of the sermon was made available for members of the congregation who do not speak Konkani.

After the Mass, participants moved to the hall adjoining the church for a community meal. Traditional Mangalurean dishes, prepared for the occasion in the customary style, were served to members and guests.

The afternoon programme of group events, games and dance was compered by Oscar Rodrigues as master of ceremonies. Housie and a dance session followed, both long-standing features of Monthi Fest gatherings in the region and now carried forward by the diaspora in the Netherlands.

Organisers said the celebration brought together the Konkani speaking Catholic community that has made the Netherlands its Karma Bhoomi, and served to strengthen the spiritual and cultural bonds of the diaspora across the country. KSN placed on record its thanks to the parish of Saint Joseph Church, Leiden, to Fr Richard Lobo, SVD, to the choir and the children's group, to the cooking team and to the volunteers whose work made the day possible.