Monthi Fest celebrated in full glory and pomp at St. Peter and Paul Church, Ruwi.
By Lin Pinto
Pics : Arun Jivraj Lobo
"We never give more honour to Jesus than when we honour his Mother, and we honour her simply and solely to honour him all the more perfectly. We go to her only as a way leading to
the goal we seek - Jesus, her Son."“SakkadSangathaMelyaaam... SakkadLaagiSariyaam, Amche Thaleekkariyaaam,Moriyek Hogolsiyaam...” a tradition followed for past 27years in Muscat, was once again fittingly proved to be a huge family feast under the guidance of Fr. Wilson Rumao the Spiritual Director and Nativity Committee lead by the Mangalorean Community Leader Mr. Henry Martis.. Meticulous planning and execution by all the seniors of the committee who are proficient, executed this spiritual ritual of the year, flawlessly.
The celebration of Monthi Fest in Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Ruwi commenced with Holy Mass and novena for nine consecutive days from August 30 to September 7, 2014. Spiritual enriching sermon for the soul was imparted to the huge congregation in the church gathered as one family with Eucharistic celebration in Konkani, by Fr. Anil D’costa the visiting priest from India who is currently the Principal of a Collage run by the Capuchin Order. Everyday, Mother Mary was honoured with offering of flowers in traditional manner accompanied by the melodious Mangalorean choir and Novena. Eats were distributed to the children and faithful, sponsored by the humble faithful in all humility. The Liturgy, preparation and execution was handled by Mariete Fernandes and Monica Dantis, aptly supported by ValerianPeris for the Choir and Clita Crasta, Shalet D’Souza to prepare the children for readings and offertory.On Monday, September 8, 2014, a voluminous crowd of Konkani Catholics gathered at the premises of Sts. Peter & Paul Church, Ruwi to celebrate Monthi Fest in all its pomp and glory, showing great devotion to our Mother Mary on her birthday. Continuing the rich tradition, in honour of our dearest Mother Mary, the children of the Parish carried baskets of colourful fresh flowers, all excited to shower them on Mama Mary placed at the beautifully decorated stage by Lancy Lobo and Sunil D’souza. This part of the ceremony and on 9 days Novena was meticulously led by Helen Lobo supported by the Ushers ministry and catechism teachers. The music for the choir during Novena was provided by Dale Dantis and AshwithaAranhaon GrandPiano.The Novem was brought from India for the Occasion by Cyril Danthi& Family which was sufficiently catered all over Oman. In the guidance of Henry D’souza, the grotto was illuminated in beautiful white and blue combination for 9 days, that uplifted the celebration mood.
After the showeringof flowersceremony, the children were ushered inside the church for the solemn celebration of the Holy Eucharist at 8.30p.m. Fr. Anil D’costa was the main celebrant while Fr. Wilson Rumao, Assistant Parish Priest of Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Ruwi and the Spiritual Director of Konkani Community and Fr Stanley Goveas, a visiting guest priest from India were also present. Mrs. Prescilla Menezes, President of the Mangalorean Catholic Center of the Parish(MCCP)welcomed the congregation on behalf of the Konkani community. The Holy Mass was uplifted by the singing of the Choir led by Mr. Apolinaris D’souza and Lanston Pinto on the Grand Piano. The whole congregation joined the choir in singing melodious Konkani hymns.Singing of responsorial psalm lead by Mrs. Reena D’souza brought in pious and joyous feeling of praise. Fr. Anil proclaimed the Gospel and the homily based on family values, was a food for thought which touched upon every stage of the life and the insight educated on parent-child relationship, which is most important today to lead a happy family life. The Prayer of the Faithful was prayed by the youth– Janice, Rose and Aileen Saldanha fluently in Konkani which proved that Konkani Language is not diminishing... but is continued in its legacy..The innocent tiny tots offered gifts at the Altar which brought more meaning to the Eucharistic celebration. Fr. Wilson Rumao proposed the vote of thanks thanking the organizing Nativity committee led by Mangaloreans, headed by Mr. Henry Martis well supported by the Executive Committee ofMCCP Oman, the Choir, the Altar Servers, the Ushers, the Decorators, the Sponsors, the Church staff and all who have worked tirelessly to make this celebration of Monthi Fest in grandeur.Fr. Anil too thanked all who have made his stay in Muscat so memorable. Essentially, senior members such as Stanley Fernandes, Peter Misquith, Samuel D’silva and MCCP Utive along withother the dedicated members of Nativity Committee aforementioned, did not leave a stone unturned to present this Mangy Traditional event in an extraordinary manner. After the mass, beautiful Holy Picture of Mother Mary with a meaningful prayer to beconnected with our Mother, was distributed on the occasion.Blessed ‘Novem’, juice and sweets were distributed to all the faithful gathered. Children were delighted to be treated to a bag of goodies and sugarcane.The entire Konkani community of Ruwi Parish along with other community faithful came together as one flock and family of the church to celebrate theNativity of our Mother / Family Feast, in great pomp and gaiety.
