Mangalore: Nativity Fest Celebrations - Photo Albums
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SP)
Mangalore, Sep 8: September 8 is being celebrated the world over, as the birth anniversary of Mother Mary. Konkani Catholic Christian brethern in Mangalore diocese are celebrating this in the name of 'Monti Fest' on Monday September 8.
World over, this day is celebrated as the feast of immaculate conception. The Konkani Christians, apart from paying obeisance to Virgin Mary, also celebrate the festival of the new corn today.
The tradition of celebrating the day of the nativity feast, is believed to have been started in the eighth century AD. On this day, people celebrate the nativity of the Mother that brought joy to the world. The Immaculate Conception was not an accident, it was well prepared by God. This is one of the occasions in which the devotees re-assert their unwavering confidence in the Lord, supported by persevering gprayers. They know, that by remembering the kindness of the divine powers, they can invoke divine mercy and get constant flow of the God's blessings.
Pictures: St Sebastian Church - Bendur
By Dayananda Kukkaje
Newly grown corns are taken by Konkani Christian brethern to churches in attractive processions attended by almost all the local families, After offering the corn to the Mother and benedictory procedures, they express their gratitudes to the Lord for the crops and offer mass.
Women and children alike offer flowers to Mother Mary. The corns are then distributed to the devotees, who take them home. The Monti Fest in some ways, resembles Hindu festivals and the Catholics normally do not consume non-vegetarian food on this day.