Report: Simon Lasrado
Pics: Sandy Sequeira
Bengaluru, Sep 10: Konkani Kulvar, Ulsoor, Bengaluru celebrated Monthi Fest (Nativity of our Blessed Virgin Mary), at Our Lady of Lourdes Church,Cambridge Road, Ulsoor, Bengaluru on Tuesday, September 8, with a Holy Mass in Konkani at 8 am.
The blessing of New Paddy by Fr Arun Prashanth D'Souza was held outside of the church and brought in a procession singing Konkani hymn "Sakkad sangatha melyan", children led the procession with beautiful flowers and gathered down to the Grotto in front of Mother Bambina Mary to honour Her.
As the choir sang the beautiful Konkani hymn, 'Moriyek hogolshiyam', the children showered colourful flowers on Mother Mary.
Fr Arun Prashanth while addressing the crowd said in his introduction about the importance of Monthi Festh.
This was followed by Holy Mass in Konkani celebrated by Fr Arun Prashanth D'Souza. In his message he stressed on family values, and urged to keep Mangalurean Konkani culture alive.
Throughout the Mass melodious Konkani choir played a major role in enriching the spirituality of the event led by Bernadette Lewis and Marian D'Souza with their dedicated team.
At the end of the Mass, merit students Recheal Cressida D'Souza and Anna Rachel Menezes were awarded with momento and certificate. Nithal Olivera was awarded scholarship cheque which were distributed by the parish priest.
Parish priest Fr Norman Bernard, assistant parish priest Fr Vijay and guest priest Fr Arun Prashanth D'Souza were honoured with the shawl by the office-bearers of Konkani Kulvar.
After the Mass Laura Menezes proposed the vote of thanks. Both she and Dr Ajith Benedict Rayan, president of Konkani Kulvar expressed their gratitude to all those who contributed generously and actively took part in the celebration.
Breakfast was given in the Church hall followed by Blessed paddy (Novem) and sugarcane were distributed to the devotees in a true Mangalurean traditional way.
There were around 200 devotees gathered for this feast and they cherished every moment of this celebration as this event reminded everyone of their good old days in Mangaluru.
On the whole, Monthi Saibinichem Fest was celebrated by Konkani Kulvar Ulsoor, Bengaluru, was in a very grand and traditional way, with the support of all the members and their families.