Muscat: Nativity Fest Celebrations at Ruwi Parish

By Dolly Sequeira
Photos : Dilip Correa
Daijiworld Media Network - Muscat

Muscat, Sep 9: As the month of September creeps in, the festive mood is in its brim, people of all castes and creeds celebrate festivals sharing their joy and happiness around. September 8th is a dual Celebration for Mangalorean Catholics namely "Monti Fest", traditionally known as the "Feast of Nativity of Virgin Mother Mary" in combination with the harvest festival. Originally people of Mangalore were agriculturist and after a long good monsoon season it was time for the first harvest of the year.

As this occasion was very close to the feast of Nativity the harvest festival is celebrated on this day. It is a time when the whole family joins in for a family meal. Once the monsoon recedes the farmers cultivate vegetables like Mogem Vaigem, Alsander, Ghosalim etc in the same farms, to see the crop mushrooming it is a content feeling for our farmers. On this day the farmers rejoice and offer thanks giving to the almighty for their first hard-earned crop. 

The dawn of 8th morning children carrying platters of freshly bloomed flowers walking in the narrow lanes, it’s a sight to watch and experience. I still remember the days where we arranged flowers picked from our own garden and left them on the window sill for the mist to cover and when we wore new cloths and walked to church the feelings was much beyond happiness. 

In the Hot sands of Gulf cost of Muscat, The Mangalorean Community of the St Peter and Paul Church, Sultanate of Oman left no barrier to make the community feel that there were close to home and our tradition. As the holy incense was burnt the place was filled with the royal smell and the freshly bloomed flowers added to the splendor. The Monthi fest was celebrated today 8th September in solemnity, by customary showing of flowers and the singing of the Hymn ‘Sakkad sangathan melyam' at the grotto. It was a sight to watch tiny tots and adults bringing in basket of flowers as offering to the holy one.

The Paddy grains on stalks flown in specially for the occasion from Mangalore was blessed in front of the grotto. The Konkani High Mass began at 8:00 pm, the main celebrant was Fr.  Vincent Anil Menezes from Bijapur Mission Parish along with Fr. Albert D Silva, Fr. Rahul Ramos and Fr. John. The Choir was led by Mr. Apolinaris D’Souza was truly great. Choir members were Ivan Moras, Victoria Soares, Arun Pinto, Carol Pinto, Anitha Lobo, Jacintha Serrao, Lancy Sequeira, Jovitha Sequeira, Lanisha Sequeira, Jessy Castelino, Philomena Saldanha, Lancy Pinto, Dolphy Vaz, Stany Soares, Naveen Mascarenhas, Flavia D Souza, Flavia Castelino, Valerian Peres, Wilma Peres and Severine Martis. Music was provided by Meval Dantis and Noel Rasquinha. 

An introduction to celebration was read by the current president of MCCP Clarence Donald Pinto Kaikamba. The reading were presented by Eula Pinto, Celso Fernandes and Mariette Fernandes. Lastly the blessed corn and goodies and Voran was distributed to all children and the congregation.  

Happy Konkani speaking faithful were wishing each other – “Bhagi Monthi Fest…” It was really a wonderful scene of brotherhood and sharing of common feelings.