Kenya: Canara Konkani Catholics spearhead well integrated Monthi Fest

By Fr Mervin John Noronha

Kenya, Sep 10: The month of September instantly evokes to the Konkani Catholics in the Diaspora the nostalgic childhood memories of the unique celebration of Monthi fest and all the devotion and fun that surrounds it.

Accordingly, September 7 was a special day for the small community of Canara Konkani Catholics of Nairobi, when they led a special Monthi fest celebration at the shrine of Lady Consolata in the western outskirts of Nairobi.

The Holy Mass was celebrated from 3 pm, followed by blessing of the new corn and then the ceremony of showering of flowers on Mother Mary. In a colorful celebration that saw the participation of more than 200 faithful, the number of local Kenyans in attendance outnumbered the Konkani Catholics.

It was truly a moment of joy for the Konkani Catholics as they saw the Kenyan Catholics joyfully absorbing a tradition which has been alien to them hitherto.

Most of the local participants offered glowing tributes to the celebration, making ardent appeal to make it a regular practice in the years to come. They simply felt part and parcel of the celebration; indeed it seemed like a tradition in the making in Nairobi. Thanks once again to the active role of the Konkani Catholics in the shrine-parish.

It could be recalled here that the last year this same group of Konkani Catholics had contributed towards importing from India and installing an icon of Mother Mary at the shrine.

Later that year the Bishop of Mangalore celebrated a Holy Mass in front of the Marian grotto; and again later same year Monthi fest was celebrated at the same venue for the first time.

While last year the number of local participants was quite negligible, this year it more than tripled. The priests in charge of the Shrine fully supported the initiative by their presence and active participation in the celebration.

There was also a Novena conducted on nine preceding Saturdays in preparation for the feast, where, along with rosary and some reflections on Marian themes, the showering of flowers was a regular feature.

Saturdays were chosen to facilitate greater participation of the people, who are usually very busy on weekdays. A Hindu friend of the community donated the flowers for all the days of celebration – both on novena days as also the feast day – is a matter that needs a special mention here.