By Vijay Pereira
Photos:  Rony D'Souza

Mississauga, Sep 11: The Mangalorean Association of Canada celebrated the Monthi Fest - the birth of our Blessed Mother Mary on September 9th, 2012 following all our Mangalorean traditions.  This year marks the tenth anniversary for MAC and over 400 Mangaloreans from all over the Greater Toronto Area participated to offer their devotion and gratitude to our Blessed Mother at St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish in Mississauga. 

The spirit of festive celebrations started filling the atmosphere of Pope John Paul II Hall  with the traditional flower showering ceremony where children eagerly placed flowers in honor of Mother Mary to the accompaniment of ”Sokkad Sangatha Melyan” .  Gerry D’Mello led the prayers for the ceremony.  Rev.Fr.Andrew Lewis blessed the "Bambino", the statue of Infant Mary,  new corn, the 'mood-dhom' candles and the crowd burst out with their favourite festive hymn and “Moriyek Hogolsiyan” during which the children showered flowers at the "Bambino".   

This heart warming ceremony was followed by a solemn procession to the church with our Knights of Columbus as honour guard.

The Holy Mass in Konkani was concelebrated by Rev. Fr. Edwin D’Souza, Rev. Fr. Henry Alva, Rev. Fr. Andrew Lewis, Rev. Fr. Kim D’Souza, Rev. Fr. Ranjan D'Sa, Rev.Fr.Jerome Mascarenhas and Rev.Fr.Lawrence Martis.  MAC spiritual director Fr.Edwin D'Souza was the chief celebrant of the High Mass. The entire liturgical service, prayers, readings, singing and sermon was exclusively in Konkani.  Fr. Ranjan's captivating and edifying homily stirred up a deep zeal for Our Lady.

The walls of the church resounding with the mellifluous sounds of the choir led by the renowned choir director Merlyn Rodrigues charmed the congregation with the selection of Konkani hymns. The whole atmosphere inside the church gave the impression that one was attending a festive Mass in one of the parish churches of Mangalore Diocese!   The entire celebration of the feast left no doubt to the spectator that it was the concerted effort of an efficiently organised team.

After the Holy Mass, the faithfuls were delighted to receive the blessed new corn which was specially flown in from the fields of the homeland for the occasion and which was blessed before the flowers showering ceremony.  Souvenir Rosaries generously donated by Sr.Ferdinanda were also distributed to all.  Children were overjoyed when treats were distributed to them!

The cultural program commenced in the church hall and the emcee for the evening, Manohar Pais, welcomed the enthusiastic guests who flocked the hall in anticipation of another resounding successful program.  Mr. Ronald Fernandes, President of the Mangalorean Association of Canada, with his inimitable charm thanked the clergy, sponsors, volunteers and guests. 

Budding classical dancer Seneca Rego began the program with a traditional dance.  The event sponsors were honoured with a blessed candle. Rony Monteiro and  Santosh D'Souza entertained the crowd with their wit and humour.

The highlight of the evening was a beautiful play "Amchi Fatima Saibhinn"  (Our Lady of Fatima) performed by MAC children youth.   It depicted the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima to the three children in Portugal.  The play was written and directed by the esteemed Mr. Manohar Pais,  whose hard work and dedication motivated the youth to brilliantly display their talent.  The play was in performed completely in amchi baas, Konkani.

The evening continued with the traditional "Noven Jevonn" ceremony where guests received the blessed harvest with milk.  “Monthifest” celebration is never complete without the traditional “Novem” meal. "Konkan Delite", the renowned caterers in Toronto had catered a sumptuous traditional vegetarian “Novem”  meal.  Every participant’s plate was a spread of variety of vegetarian delicious dishes including the traditional 'pothrade' and the sumptuous dessert, ‘Vorn’ which were enjoyed by all.

Just after delicious dinner Rony Monteiro, Leo Rego, Santosh D'Souza and Lucy D'Mello entertained the crowd with a second round of laughter and rib-tickling humour.

Scholarships, which have now become a MAC tradition, were handed out to Sheldon Savio Vaz and Alistar Melroy D’Souza.  Once again the scholarships were generously sponsored by UAE Exchange and Reginald and Mary Fernandes.   Konkan Delite catered a traditional all-vegetarian meal with the highlight of the meal being the delicious “Pathraade”

The evening continued with a Konkani Song sung by Nicole and Nerissa D’Mello that serenaded the listeners with their angelic voices. 

This was followed by traditional folk dance under the leadership of Sonia Monteiro and choreographed by renowned choreographer Lydia Rebello which took full-house crowd back to Mangalore. 

The second highlight of the evening was hilarious skit written and performed by the Konkani world's Comedy King Francis Fernandes Cascia and Santosh D'Souza.  The packed crowd in the hall were left roaring with laughter.

The evening came to an end with the announcement of the raffle prizes and finally the solemn singing of the Laudate.

A myriad of volunteers generously donated their time and energy, working tirelessly to ensure that Our Lady was honoured through a memorable evening. Mangalorean Association of Canada will always indebted to all the volunteers, committee members and sponsors who guarantee the astounding success of the Monthi Fest annually.