Media Release

Bengaluru, Sep 10: St Peter's Konkani Kutam celebrated Monthi Fest, at St Peter's Church, Off Old Airport Road, on September 8, with a Holy Mass in Konkani to a crowded gathering of devotees.

The solemn programme started with a short procession from the nearby Oxford House to the Church Grotto of Our Blessed Virgin Mary. The main celebrant for the event was by Fr Prashanth Madtha while Fr Adrian Mascarenhas and Fr Steven D’Souza were the co-celebrant priests. The blessing of new paddy was done outside the Church and brought in a procession along with the beautiful infant Mary’s statue with the choir leading everyone and singing the Konkani hymn ‘Sakkad sangatha melyan’’, children led the procession with beautiful flowers and gathered around the statue of beloved Mother Mary to honour Her. The procession led into the church for the solemn Mass.

Inside the church, Fr Prashanth Madtha started the solemn service. Joe Mascarenhas, president of SPKK then addressed the gathering and provided a brief introduction. Throughout the Mass the melodious Konkani choir played a major role in enriching the spirituality of the event led by Joe Mascarenhas and his dedicated team.

Before the end of the service, Emilian D’Souza, vice president of SPKK in her note of thanks, appreciated the efforts of all those who had put in all their time and energy in decorating the church and all other associated activities therein. Fr Arokia Dass, assistant parish priest, delighted the gathering by saying a couple of sentences in Konkani and he well appreciated the efforts of SPKK in celebrating Monthi Fest in such a grand manner at the parish.

Novem was distributed to all at the conclusion of the mass. This was mixed with roce and it was served in true Mangalurean tradition style. This was followed by a sumptuous traditional Mangalurean meal. The gathering then engaged in fellowship and it was great to see radiant smiles all around. Children were perked up with chocolates that made their eyes gleam with excitement and there was an atmosphere of joy and happiness all round. Sugarcane was distributed at the end and the children and adults alike were thrilled to carry it with them back home.

At the grotto, as the choir sang the beautiful Konkani hymn, 'Moriyek hogolshiyam', the children showered colourful flowers on our dearest 'Mother Mary'. After a brief prayer at the grotto, the Priests and children led the congregation into the church for the high Mass.

There were around 180 members gathered for this feast and they cherished every moment of this celebration as this event reminded everyone of their good old days in Mangaluru.
During Mass the previous Sunday, for the benefit of the larger parish community, SPKK organized a ‘flower shower’ at the grotto which saw a huge gathering joining in and celebrating the beautiful occasion. Children were treated to chocolates.