Media Release
Bangalore, Sep 12: ‘EKVOT Konkani Catholic Association’ celebrated ‘Monthi Festh’ in a grand way at our ‘Lady of Sacred Heart Church (OLSH)’, Bellandur, Bangalore.
The celebration started with blessing of ‘Noven’ and offering flowers to Mother Mary at 11AM. All the children and elders offered flowers to Mother Mary singing “Moriek Hogalsian”. Then all proceeded to the church for Holy Mass singing “Sokkad Sangatha Meliyaan”. Everyone joined in the singing, young and old.
Just before beginning the mass, there was a small introduction on the origin of the festival and its significance for Mangalorean Catholics(apart from celebrating Mother Mary’s birthday).This is a festival of thanksgiving for the good harvest and a day when we recall the importance of family bonds and remember and pray for all family members.
Holy Mass was con-celebrated by six priests led by Rev. Fr. Father Johnson D’Souza. The homily focused on what gift we can give mother Mary and what is the best one on her birthday, just as we do to our earthly mother on her birthday. Staying together as one family with love and affection and sharing in one another’s joys and sorrows was the best gift we can give to our heavenly mother was the suggestion given by Father.
The entire congregation prayed for all the families, farmers, church leaders, youth, children and all people to follow Mother Mary’s footsteps in their day to day work and be role models to others.
Children offered various types of grains during the offertory procession.
The mass was accompanied by beautiful singing of hymns by the choir with Keyboard and Violin. Children sang 2 hymns with a beautiful recessional hymn dedicated to Baby Mother Mary (Baalok Moriye, Aamche Raaniye).
Parish priest Father Charles Babu, MSC put some effort to learn a few lines in Konkani and shared his wishes in Konkani to all present. This was followed by a small vote of thanks by the President of Ekvot.
Once the mass was concluded, ‘Noven’ was distributed and everyone proceeded for lunch. Blessed ‘Noven’ mixed in coconut milk was served to all members followed by a sumptuous vegetarian lunch including ‘Vorn’. Nearly 250 people attended the Holy Mass and Fellowship lunch.
After lunch, everyone collected their share of ‘Kobu’ (sugarcane) and proceeded home happily.