By Naveen Rebello
Rome, Sep 17: The Konkani Kutam, Rome celebrated the Nativity of Our Lady with devotion and fervor at the Jesuit Generalate, Rome, a stone’s throw away from St Peter’s Basilica, Vatican, on Sunday, September 13. The Konkani speaking priests, religious and laity, haling from the west coast of India, numbering about 60 came together to celebrate this annual family feast.
The celebrations commenced with a solemn Eucharistic celebration presided over by Fr Victor Rodrigues, SVD and concelebrated by a dozen of diocesan and religious priests, working and studying here in Rome.
Fr Wilfred Moras preached an inspiring homily on the theme ‘through Mary to Jesus’. In his homily, he outlined the shining virtues of Our Lady, especially faith, love and humility as a hallmark of Christian life and exhorted the faithful to imitate Mary in ordinary things of daily life, but with extraordinary faith and love like her.
The melodious choir, under the leadership of Seminarians Shaun Rodrigues and Ivan Martis, the traditional Monthi Fest hymns bringing back the nostalgic memories of nine-day novena, back in Mangaluru.
After the Eucharistic celebration, the members of Konkani Kutam gathered for ‘NovemJevan’. The Gurkar of the family, Fr Melwin Pinto, SJ introduced the new members, who have joined the family of late and welcomed them on behalf of all. Thereafter, the first fruits of the season, traditionally called ‘novem’ which were especially brought all the way from India for this occasion and blessed during the mass were received by all.
Fr Francis Rodrigues, SJ, a veteran missionary working in Kenya, did the honour of mixing the ‘novem’ with the ‘vorn’ and led the grace before the meals. The home cooked food, by the priests, religious and laity together, especially the delicacies of the west coast,was shared in a spirit of fellowship by one and all.
As the celebrations came to an end, all members of the Konkani Kutam wished happiness, peace and prosperity to one another, while a few whispering in hushed tones, “if Mary is already born, will Jesus be far behind?”