Prepared by Joe Andrade

Manama, Sep 8: The traditional Monthi Fest celebrations took off at the sprawling open grounds stage of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church premises in Manama, Bahrain, honouring the beautifully decorated Mother Mary’s infant statue in the cradle with fresh floral tributes from little children and the devout faithful of the Konkani Community of the Parish, commencing at 8.00 a.m. on Friday, September 5. Fr Darel Fernandes the spiritual director of the Konkani Community along with Fr Francis Joseph the parish priest and other brother-priests, welcomed the Konkani faithful, blessing the new corn (paddy) at the open grounds stage and proceeding in procession to the mother church for the Monthi Festh 2025, Holy Mass in honour of infant Mother Mary.

The nine-days of Novena to the infant BVM from on August 27 every evening with Holy Mass for the Monthi Festh was graciously prepared and conducted with apt messages on Mother Mary’s exemplary life by Fr Darel Fernandes concluding on the 10th day with the concelebrated Holy Mass in Konkani at the main Sacred Heart Church at about 8.20 am on September 5, glorifying Mother Mary who blesses all with fruits of love in different ways.

During the Holy Mass, the traditional “Mod-dhum” and “Pir-jenth” candles were distributed to the generous faithful. The offertory procession saw a large number of benefactors from the Konkani community offering in kind with various groceries and useful items that will be distributed by the Poor of Saint Anthony members of the Church to the poor and needy of the Parish in due course.

The Konkani choir melodiously sang devotional Monthi Festh hymns dedicated to Mother Mary during the Holy Mass. Towards the end, Fr. Darel Fernandes overwhelmed with emotion, extraordinarily thanked all the various Parish groups and those volunteering in every Mass celebration for its prayerful service. After the final blessing and hymn, the traditional blessed “Novein coconut juice” was distributed to all. This was followed by a Festival Cultural program and farewell to Fr. Darel Fernandes, the Assistant Parish Priest of Sacred Heart Church who will be leaving Bahrain for a new assignment in Kuwait as Parish Priest of Our Lady of Arabia, minor-Basilica, Ahmadi.

The Konkani Cultural Program at the OLAA Hall began at 10.45 am with the elegant Faryl Rodrigues gracefully took the stage and welcomed the Monthi Fest cultural programme MC Sharmila D’Souza. This time arranged thanksgiving to Fr Darel Fernandes after 7-and-half years of active dedicated service in the Sacred Heart Catholic Church for all the Catholic faithful of the parish. With poise and eloquence, MC, Sharmila D'Souza stepped forward to roll the program with the opening Prayer dance choreographed and conducted by Nehal Lewis and team.

All the attending priests, reverend sisters, Konkani Committee Executive members and organisers of the Monthi Fest were called onto the stage along with Fr Darel Fernandes who addressed the packed audience gathered at the Our Lady of Arabia Auditorium welcoming them. Fr Darel Fernandes, reminisced his long partnerships with various groups of the parish emotionally thanking them for their support and prayerful participation in all the various services conducted and organised in the church premises. A simple cake-cutting ceremony with the beautiful singing of the Mother Many birthday hymn by the Konkani choir.

As a part of the Monthi Fest celebrations, the winners of the 7-a-side Cricket Tournament that was conducted at the Indian Club premises in August, were felicitated with presentation of trophies to the applause of the audience.

The Winners were:
Men – Winners: Elite Eagles
Runners-up: Goan Falcons
Ladies – Winners: Sea Guys
Runners up: Bahrain Warriors

Sandra Sequeira, in-charge of the Konkani Choir Ministry of the Parish, was felicitated for her dedication over the years and was honoured with a Certificate by the Parish Priest, Fr Francis Joseph. Anisha Peris was introduced to the audience as she took charge of the Konkani Choir Ministry. There was a tumultuous round of applause for all the Konkani choir Ministry members.

This was followed by a Group dance choreographed by Ajay and Sonia Lobo and a Seniors dance number by Ajay Lobo and Troupe.

A special hymn dedicated in honour of infant Mother Mary was released by Naveen Mendonca on the auspicious occasion. It was then time for the traditional vegetarian “Noveim Jovann”, complete with rice, sambar and a mix of vegetables topped-up with the savoury “Vornn,” sumptuous and relishing. The organsiers have expressed gratitude to all the Mud-dhoms and Pirjenths and well-wishers who had contributed largely to the success of this Monthi Festh program and to the Konkani Community for all the paraphernalia of the Monthi Festh programs and their toil for the day.

It was a day meaningfully spent with all the required devotion and glory to Mother Mary and the members, families and friends of the Konkani community family revelled in its tradition and divinity.

A thanksgiving programme to Fr Darel Fernandes was organised, as a part of the Monthi Fest program.

Official photographer Roshan Loyd D’Souza was capturing every moment of the programme.