News: Victor Moras

Pics: Joyal Almeida/Santhosh Dmello

Salalah, Sep 16: The Konkani Catholic community of St Francis Xavier church, Salalah, Sultanate of Oman, celebrated Monthi Fest on Friday, September 13 in a traditional way. Fr Rohan Lobo was the main celebrant of the Konkani Mass.

The day’s liturgy began with the rosary. Next, as the choir sang the melodious hymn, ‘Sokkad Sangatha Melyam’, all the faithful with their flower plates gathered around the beautifully decorated Baby Mary. Then the new paddy from our homeland was blessed and the bambino was showered by the beautiful colored flowers three times to the hymn ‘Moriek Hogolsiyam’.

The thoughtful sermon was the highlight of the liturgy. Fr Rohan explained the origin of ‘Monthi Fest’ as the family feast of Catholics in and around Mangaluru and now spread across the globe wherever Mangalurean Catholics reside.

A short cultural programme followed. The cultural programme included a hymn, a dance and a few games and a quick Housie Housie. Fr Johnson, the parish priest and Fr Rohan, the guest priest gave away the prizes.

The specialty of the day was the delicious meal cooked by the community members. Nothing was left of the sumptuous food and even children seemed to enjoy it.

The tireless team-work made the programme a success. The community had worked hard for many days to make the ‘Monthi Fest-2024’, traditionally beautiful.