Monthi Fest celebrated in exaltation and splendor at Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Ruwi-Muscat

Pics by Joachim D'Souza, Daijiworld Media, Oman

News: Prescilla Menezes

“Sobith phulaam, mogaal kalzaam, hadun aaylyaavm monthi maye…” sung in jubilation by the congragation, the huge family feast was structured and lead by the Nativity Feast Committee of Mangalorean community under the eminent leader Valerian Peres, supported by MCCP 25th team.

Novena preceding Monti Fest

The celebration of Monthi Fest 2016 in Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Ruwi commenced with a nine day novena from August 30, celebrated with holy mass, spirit ameliorating sermons and flower offerings to Mother Mary. Spiritual enrichment through sermons was bestowed on the huge congregation in Konkani, by Fr Naveen Santosh D’Souza , Order of Friars Minor, Capuchin, the visiting priest from Ujire-Udupi district.

The theme of the year, ‘Virtues of Mother Mary,’ was the basis of the sharing by Fr Naveen who broke the Word based on the theme that well connected with family values and modern life- a food for thought which touched upon every stage of life evidenced today. The insight educated the congregation on parent-child relationship, to lead a happy family life. Treats were distributed everyday to children, sponsored by the humble faithful of the Mangalorean community. The grotto was illuminated in a graceful white-and-blue combination which uplifted the celebration mood.

Pomp and Gaiety mark Monti Fest

Thursday, September 8, the grand day of our Mother Mary’s birthday, a voluminous crowd of Konkani Catholics gathered to celebrate Monthi Fest in all its spectacular glory, demonstrating great devotion to thier beloved Mother. 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 Mother Mary’s image placed on the beautifully decorated stage. This part of the ceremony and the nine day novena was meticulously managed in co-ordination with the ushers and catechism ministries.

Novem (Paddy corns) was brought from India for the occasion by an ardent faithful Winston Peres, which was sufficiently catered to all the four churches all over Oman. A talented youth, Wilson D’souza, anchored this part of the event methodically. The children, in festive attire, gathered in record breaking numbers spreading the excitement of birthday celebration of Mother Mary, setting the mood right for the congregation to involve wholly.

Strewing of flowers ceremony at the outdoor stage started sharp at 8.30 pm, as the gathered faithful sang the melody ‘sakkad sangatha melyaam', with the choir and the procession heading in reverence, lead by the parish council member Prescilla Menezes carrying the image, further followed by the new corn carried by Wilma Peres and Winston Peres. Holy pictures for the blessing were carried by Vincent and Philomena Saldanha. The alter servers, eucharistic ministers and the celebrant priests joined the procession for onward ceremony and blessing in poise and devotion.

Solemn celebration of the Holy Eucharist in the churchwas led by Fr Naveen Santosh as the main celebrant with Fr Marian Miranda as co-celebrant. At the start, Dilip Correa, President of the Mangalorean Catholic Community of the Parish welcomed the congregation on behalf of Mangalorean community. The Holy Mass was enriched by the choir, lead by Maestro Apolinaris D’souza, with Dale Dantis on the Grand Piano on all the days, and Irene the budding talent of the Parish. The choir performed the new Konkani spiritual melodies were composed by the music maestro Apolinaris D’souza. These enabled the entire congregation to join in praising the Almighty and Mother Mary especially on the feast day, inculcating the ambience in pious and joyous feeling of praise. Thetreat of yester spiritual melodies was also rendered by the Choir involving the congregation participation in full motion, during the Novena Days.The euphonious Konkani choir group: Valerian Peres, Lovelyn Rego, Stany Menezes, Anitha Lobo, Prescilla Menezes, Philomena Saldanha, Freeda Suares, Wilma Peris, Flavia D’souza, Cyril Danthi, Anitha Danthi, Victoria Suares and Flavia Castelino.

The prayer of the faithful by the youth was prayed fluently in Konkani which proved that Konkani, as a language has royally continued in its legacy and is gaining popularity amongst the younger generation. The innocent tiny tots till the teens, offered gifts at the Altar which brought more meaning to the eucharistic celebration.

Fr Marian Miranda – Asst. Parish Priest and the Spiritual Advisor of Konkani Community, proposed vote of thanks, thanking the parish priest Fr Raul Ramos and Asst Parish Priest Fr Bijo for their whole hearted support and prayers. Fr Miranda also appreciated and thanked the Nativity Feast committee led by Mangaloreans, steered by Valerian Peres, well supported by the Executive Committee of MCCP Oman. He was in praise of the choir, the altar servers, eucharistic ministers, the ushers, the decorators, the sponsors, the church staff and all who have worked tirelessly to make this celebration of Monthi Fest 2016, possible in utmost gaiety and grandeur. Fr Naveen Santosh who was already popular and loved for his oratory skills through daily homily, reciprocated to the gesture of all who have made his stay in Muscat a memorable and comfortable one.

The liturgy preparation, supervision and execution on all 9 days, as well as on feast day was predominantly handled by Committee Members – Mariete Fernandes and Monica Dantis; Valerian Peres supported by Naveen Mascarenhas for choir co-ordination and Stanley Suares for media presentation; Clita Crasta for preparing the children for readings and offertory; Helen Lobo and team for flower arrangement and management of offering / showering on all the nine days of novena and the feast day.

Essentially, members of the committee such as Stanley Fernandes, Henry Martis, Henry D’souza, Peter Misquith, Prescilla Menezes, Lancy Lobo, Dolphy Frank, Michael Pasanna Prabhath Alva, Paul and MCCP executive team, along with other dedicated volunteers of Nativity Committee, did not leave a stone unturned to present this Mangy-traditional-event in an extraordinarily exuberant manner. At this moment, the organizers along with spiritual director, thanked each and every sponsor for supporting the cause in cash or kind, and prayed the blessings of Mother Mary be showered upon them and their families.

The holy picture of Mother Mary with a meaningful prayer to our beloved Mother, as a souvenir were distributed on the occasion.The highlight of the celebration was a gift of fellowship in divinity by the Nativity Feast Committee, through blessed traditional novem jevan and vorn which was served to the entire 1300 people who attended the holy mass and Divine Mother’s birthday celebration. Sugarcane and bag of goodies were distributed to all the children gathered.

At this occasion, dedicated veterans Genevieve & Alwyn Saldanha, and Henry D’souza were felicitated befittingly with a memento for their dedicated valuable support and service over the years, to the community. The leaders of the community and priests shared the dais. This swift and short program was meticulously anchored by eminent anchor and president of MCCP Dilip Correa.

The entire Mangalorean community of Ruwi parish along with other community faithful and also from neighboring parishes, flocked together as one family of the mother church to celebrate the Nativity of our Mother or the Family Feast, which proved to be a magnificent Monti Fest 2016 celebration.