Pics by Jerome Sequeira
Mozambique, Sep 11: Monti fest was celebrated by the Mangaloreans in Mozambique for the third time and was attended by few Mangalorean families from South Africa as special guests.
The celebrations started with Konkani mass for the first time by Fr Johnson Furtado from Barkur, a missionary priest living in Maputo.
During the mass the offertory procession was organized by Hilda Fernandes wherein people offered various vegetables and fruits from the garden.
Children read the prayers of faithful and the adults the readings and the entire congregation has given their voices to make it more colourful with their lively singing.
The celebrant in his homily explained the tradition of Novem Jevan, family cultures and the way we celebrate the feast in our native place.
He said we are fortunate to have this day blessed by mother Mary, sharing the festive lunch. After the mass the Novem Jevan was organized in Allen Fernandes’ house with the active participation of all the invitees as children and the adults started serving the 9 vegetables that were prepared complimented by sanna, rice and vorn.
After drinking the Novem from the elderly to the youngest all the present had lunch on the traditional plantain leaf.
Joswin Lasrado, Richard Macarenhas and Jerry D’Mello had helped this event happen by sending konkani mass and hymns.