Conventachem Fest - Saant Mari of Monte Mariano Friary held at Farangipet
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (MM/RD)
Pics: Stanley Bantwal
Mangalore, Oct 11: ‘Monte Mariano,’ is a name that most of the Mangaloreans remember often. It literally means Mount Mary. It has a special place in the annals of Catholics of Mangalore. It is also known as the second cradle of Capuchins in India since it housed the only Novitiate of the Capuchins in India till 1965.
The monastery is located on the bank of the river Netravati, high on a cliff. The breathtaking view of mighty river at the background with lush greenery on the hillock close to monastery transpires one to leap into spiritual mode. The monastery being thronged by devotees as far away from neighbouring taluks of Puttur, Vittal, Sullia to offer prayers.
This friary is nearly 13 kilometres away from Mangalore on National Highway 48 is also known for its famous 'Saant Mari', (vhoddlem fest) or the feast of the Friary. It is actually the feast of patron St Francis of Assisi. Vodlem Fest has a special place among Mangaloreans and the season starts with the Saant Mari of Farangipet.
This year the Saant Mari of Monte Mariano friary was held on Thursday October 11.The festive Eucharistic celebration was celebrated by Fr Vincent Furtado, OFM Cap, provincial of Holy Trinity Province of Karnataka. Fr Roque Rodrigues, vicar of Bantwal deanery, Fr Robert Lasrado, superior of the monastery and other priests were the concelebrants on the occasion.
Speaking to ‘daijiworld.com,’ Fr J B Sequeira, novice master said that the monastery has a glorious history that dates back to 1763. Fr Joachim Miranda, a Goan priest who served as first parish priest cared for the spiritual needs of all the Catholics living across the coast till the foot of Western Ghats. Fr Miranda built a seminary at Farangipet which was later shifted to Jeppu, he informed.
Owing to his exceptional holiness, Fr Miranda won the friendship of Hyder Ali, the then king of Mysore Kingdom. ‘Monthi Fest’ (feast of Nativity of Mary) was first introduced by him here, Fr Sequeira added.
When Tippu's horsemen arrived to plunder the Monte Mariano monastery, it is known that Fr Miranda showed the copper plate given by Hyder Ali, authorizing the rights of land for worship. Hence, the soldiers spared the monastery from plundering, he said.
The Capuchin friars arrived here from Goa, during 1930. They began the practice of celebrating the feast on first Thursday after the October 4, the feast day of St Francis of Assisi. They celebrate it on Thursday, since the monastery’s rule restricted them from eating meat on Wednesdays. Hence the feast which gives a start to the vhoddlem fest season in the entire Mangalore diocese is known as ‘Coventachem Fest,’ (feast of the friary), explained Fr J B Sequeira.
Devotees from far and near thronged to Monte Mariano on Thursday October 11 for the annual feast. People from all walks of life joined the celebration which is famous as 'Saant Mari' in the locality. One of the special feature of this feast is that beggars from all over who come to the friary on the festal day are fed in the afternoon.