Media Release
Dublin, Sep 9: Monthi fest is a significant religious and cultural celebration among Konkani Catholics in Mangaluru. It is celebrated on September 8 coinciding with Nativity of Blessed Virgin Mary and is deeply connected to themes of thanksgiving for the harvest.
Konkans Ireland celebrated Monthi Fest 2024 in St Brigid’s Community Centre, Dublin 15 on Sunday, September 8.
Nine days of novena was organised by Leena Quadras in preparation for Nativity feast of Mother Mary.
The joyous celebration started with the Holy Eucharistic Mass celebrated by Fr Suresh Babu and Fr Valerian Castelino. Alter servers Arvin and Aron, helped the priests during holy mass. With meaningful homily by Fr Valerian and melodious hymns by Anil, Arathi, Manuel, Melville, Oliver, Carol and Manoj the Holy mass was concluded.
Freshly harvested paddy stalks otherwise known as “Kanshi” (New Harvest) was a traditional highlight of the day. Blessing of new harvest took place to express our gratitude to God for providing food. It acknowledges the hard work of farmers and fertility of the land. New crop was organised by Asha Mathias and brought to Dublin all the way from Mangaluru by Preema D’Mello.
Another traditional highlight of the day was floral offering to a statue of Infant Mary with meaningful Konkani hymn “Moriyek Hogolsiyam”. Cake was cut by new mums with babies below 6 months.
Monthi Fest Committee comprised of Anil/Arathi, Ivan/Amitha, Agil/Sylveria, Hansel/Reena, Oliver/Carol, Mervin/Gyalien, Royston/ Careen, Reshma, Savitha. Committee lead by Sandeep/ Leena Quadras. These members worked hard to deliver a joyous Monthi fest with traditional values to all the attendees. After Infant Mary’s veneration Novem was served and thereafter snacks.
Cultural programme took place after everyone finished their snacks. Gyalien and Reshma beautifully compered the programmes of the day. Kids as well as adults rocked the stage with their cultural talents. Mind blowing dance by Ashline lobo, Arvin Lobo, Arnel lobo, Chris Tauro, Crystal Tauro, Olivia and Vanitha Lobo and Monthi fest song sung by Jacintha Lobo. To keep the crowd entertained during the meal Anil D’souza sang Hindi song ‘Khamoshiyam’.
A family festive meal is central to the monthi fest celebration. Families come together to enjoy a grand vegetarian feast as the festival promotes abstinence from meat for the day. The meal consists of a variety of traditional Konkani dishes, often prepared using the freshly harvested vegetables and grains served on a banana leaf. In the history of Konkans Ireland for the first time Delicious Festive Family Meal was served on a banana leaf.
Momentos were distributed to the participants of the day.
Hamper tickets raised funds for Irish Cancer Society.
Housie game was conducted by Vijay Bennis and Ivan Dantis.
Prizes and Hampers were distributed to the winners.
Vote of thanks was proposed by the committee gurkar Sandeep Quadras. Monica Mathias captured the moments while DJ Anil D’Souza made everyone getup from their seat and shake the dance floor. With energy still left for Baila dance, Monthi fest day was added to the memories.
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