By Basil Serrao
Nairobi, Sep 18: It was for the third year in succession, the Kanara Konkani Catholics of Nairobi (KKCN) celebrated the Monti Fest with the local faithfuls at Consolata Shrine, Westlands Naiorbi.
Prior to the year 2013, the very few Kanara Catholic families residing in Nairobi used to meet in any one of the member's house, Celebrate Eucharist and share a traditional vegetarian meal to remind themselves of their roots and also to assist the next generation to learn,appreciate and continue the culture.
Since the year 2013, they started encouraging the local faithful to join them, especially after the installation of the 2.8 mts tall Statue of Our Lady Consolata at the Grotto in Consolata Shrine, which was manufactured in Mangalore and donated to the Shrine by the KKCN members.
It has been a practice since 2013 to hold Novena in preparation for feast for nine consecutive Saturdays (To allow more faithful to participate), by way of reciting Rosary in Candle lit procession, Novena Prayer, Showering of the flowers, followed by short reflection on chosen theme on Mother Mary and for this year it was on the various apparition of our mother and were given by Priests from the divine Word Missionaries congregation in Nairobi.
On Staurday, September 12, The Eucharistic celebration at the Altar near the Grotto, was presided over by Fr Leo Fernando SVD, along with Fr Daniel Bertea IMC, Parish Priest, Consolata Shrine & Fr Francis Viotto, Asst Parish Priest.
More than 120 faithful gathered for the celebration, majority of whom were locals and which is a 3 fold increase since 2013 signifying increase in popularity and participation from the locals in this cultural festival.
Fresh Corns, which is staple food and used commonly in Kenya was blessed during the Eucharistic celebration instead of the paddy stalks and were distributed to to the heads of each family/institution. The origin of this festivities, blessing of the harvest, its Liturgist symbolism and sharing it with the family etc was explained to the faithful and was much appreciated and many of them said they want to carry this practice, especially blessing of the harvest to their rural home and parishes.
After the Eucharist all faithful participated in singing the Konkani hymns (Sokkod Sngatha & Moriyek Hogolsiyan) while honoring our mother with showers of flowers.
Michael Sequeira, Gurkaraam of KKCN, along with Wilson D'souza with their team had made all the arrangements for the celebration and every one was served with refreshment after the cerebration.
KKCN members, the following day, on Sunday September 13 met at the residence of Basil Serrao along with their friends to celebrate the festival in traditional way.