Pics: Eldric Dsouza
Dublin, Sep 12: Konkans Ireland, here celebrated Monti fest (Nativity of Mother Mary) on Saturday September 8 at St Paul’s Youth Club, Artane.
In preparation for the feast, the 9 day Novena was held to venerate Mother Mary with flowers in residences of KIG members.
The celebration commenced with blessings of the new harvested crop, followed by mass. It was the first time in the history of Konkans Ireland, thay the feast mass was celebrated by three priests from the clergy.
Fr Suresh Babu (Dublin, Ireland) was the main celebrant, while the co-celebrants were Fr Richard Menezes (Bikarnakette, Mangaluru, Rome) and Fr Stephen Kottackal (Mananthavady, Kerala, India). Fr Richard delivered the homily in Konkani, which gave everyone the feeling of being at home for the feast. The beautiful celebration set the tone of love and brotherhood for the day.
Jeevan and Jasmine Dsouza led the choir supported by Marian Prabhu on the guitar. After mass, all the mass attendees venerated Our Mother, showering her with flowers and the hymn ‘Moriyek hogol siyan’ followed by children singing Happy Birthday Mama Mary.
The traditional drink of new harvest grains crushed and mixed with milk was served to all the attendees after the mass. There was a sumptuous breakfast served to ensure that members were sufficiently charged for the day’s event of fun and games of all ages. 'Aamchi Mai Baas Konkani' was the theme for the cultural event that was beautifully hosted by Jasmine Dsouza, Archana Gomes and Rachel Dsouza. The children displayed their talent of singing and dancing, which made the event all the more memorable.
The newcomers to the community were requested to introduce themselves in Konkani. The traditional Mangalurean novem lunch was served, with the Konkan Ireland community reliving their memories from home.
Fr Joseph Vellana, OCD and Sr Jini George, SSPS captured the entire event.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks to Konkan Ireland Monthi Feast committee and for every member new and old participating to make the day truly memorable.