Report: Simon Lasrado

Pics: Jason and Glifford

Bengaluru, Sep 10: Indiranagar Konkani Kutamb,Swamy Vivekananda Road, celebrated Monti Fest (Nativity of Blessed Vir gin Mary) at Resurrection Church Indiranagar Nagar on Saturday, September 8 with Holy Mass in Konkani.

Children led the procession with colourful flowers proceeded towards main alter along with main celebrants singing Konkani hymn ‘sakkad sangatha melyam’. Main celebrant Dr Fr.Manoj D'Souza blessed the corn (New paddy).

Before beginning the Holy Mass Antony Fernandes, IKK president welcomed the devotees. While addressing he told the importance of Monti Fest. This was followed by Holy Mass in Konkani concelebrated by Fr.John Soloman, the parish priest, Dr Fr Manoj D'Souza, Dr Fr Alwyn D'Souza, Fr Arun Santhosh, Fr Soji from MSFS from Goa. 

One of the Celebrants Dr Fr.Alwyn DSouza during his sermon he stressed on family values and urged to keep Mangalorean Konkani Catholic culture alive.

Throughout Mass melodious Konkani Choir played a major role in enriching the spirituality of the celebration led by Richie D'Souza and keyboard player Joseph with their dedicated team.

After the Mass the main celebrants, children and elders with flowers gathered in front of Mother Bambina Mary in the side altar to honour her.

As the choir sang ‘Moriyek Hogolshiyam’ the children and devotees showered colourful flowers on Mother Mary.

Sunil D'Cunha and KonCab Banaswadi arranged new corn from Mangaluru.

Valerian D'Souza Secretary of IKK proposed the vote of thanks.

Breakfast was served in the church compound followed by distribution of blessed paddy and sugarcane to all the devotees in a true Mangalurean tradition.

There were nearly 800 devotees gathered in this feast Mass and they cherished every moment of this celebration as this event reminded of their good old days in Mangaluru.

On the whole, Monti Fest was celebrated by Indira Nagar Konkani Kutamb with fervor and in a grand and traditional way with the support of all members and their families.