Jasmine D’Cunha

Kuwait, Sep 8: The Monthi Fest celebration at the Church of Our Lady of Arabia –Ahmadi on Friday the 6th of September 2013 was the most wonderful experience that the faithful ever had and would be remembered for years to come. The Main Church and the premises were overflowing with more than a thousand faithful who were both spiritually as well as physically blessed.

The Liturgical Celebration started at 10 am with the procession of Infant Mary along with the main celebrant Fr Joel D’souza and the co-celebrants Fr Gasper Fernandes and Deacon Sylvester D’souza. As the procession proceeded to the church the children waited eagerly with flowers at the altar as the choir sang hymns in praise of Infant Mary.

The blessing of the new grains and the showering of flowers to Infant Mary brought to mind the memories of our childhood days in Mangalore. For the first time in many years, the faithful felt like they were back in their hometown celebrating Monthi Fest. The kissing of Infant Mary was an added boon to the devotees.

During the celebration there was a short honoring program. Nearly 36 children of the St Cecilia Children’s Konkani Choir were honored with mementos. Gulf Voice of Mangalore 2012 winner Orson D’souza was honored by Fr Joel, Deacon Sylvester was honored by Fr Joel and Fr Gaspar for his dedication and service to the Catholic Church in Kuwait and finally the main celebrant and preacher Fr Joel was honored by Deacon Sylvester.

Fr Joel was indeed a blessing for the Catholic Community in Kuwait who revived the faith of the devotees with his soul searching talks and prayer services. The Adoration of the Blessed Eucharist after the mass helped in quenching the spiritual thirst of the faithful and the healing service conducted by Fr Joel renewed the spirits of the people.

The main highlight of the celebration was the Noven Jevonn after the mass. The traditional food with new grains deliciously cooked by M&M Caterers was blessed by Fr Joel and thereafter relished and enjoyed by all the people who attended the celebration. The celebration ended with the lucky dip draw.

All the people went home happy and satisfied with praises on their lips to God and appreciation of the organizers of this wonderful celebration under the leadership of the most enterprising and enthusiastic spiritual shepherd Fr Gasper Fernandes and the Members of the Konkani community - Our Lady of Arabia parish, Ahmadi.