Report and Pics from Naveen Frank
Daijiworld Media Network - Sharjah (SP)
Sharjah, Sep 12: The annual feast of the nativity of Our Lady, Monti Fest, started with colour and splendor at St Michael's Church, Sharjah, UAE on the evening of Thursday September 11. Children of all ages, with their cherubic looks, flocked together with flowers, in front of the grotto of Mother Mary to begin the solemn evening.
It was a lovely sight for the adults to watch their children shower flower petals on Mother Mary to the background singing of the Konkani hymn, 'Sakkad Sangata Melya( Let us Gather together)'.
Fr Freddie D'souza blessed the statue of Infant Mary with incense and holy water. A solemn procession of the statue along with priests, children and laity, led their way into the church for the Holy Eucharist.
The main celebrant Fr Dinesh Mendonca welcomed the faithful. It was heartening to see the parish priest and assistant parish priest of St Michael's church Fr Ani Xavier and Fr Michael, both non Konkani speaking priests, concelebrating in the Konkani Mass.
Fr Freddie D'souza of St Mary's Church Dubai and Fr William Albuquerque, guest priests, also participated in the holy Eucharist.
Fr William, a Capuchin priest working at Virajpet, Mysore, delivered a fitting and inspiring homily. He elucidated the origin of the tradition of celebrating the birthday of Mother Mary. Narrowing it further down to Monti Fest, Fr William said, that the origin of the harvest festival linking it to the birthday of Mother Mary in Mangalore, sprang from a tradition followed at Farangipet. There was a friary which was known as Mount Mary, which the local people called Monti Mary Convent from which the present day Monti Fest originated from, he explained.
The solemnity of the eucharist was further elevated by the choir. A group of men and women, both from Mangalore and Goa, under the able direction of Lancy Carlo and Ramiro, put up a splendid performance right through the mass. The harmony of the flute, brass, keyboard, drums, violin and guitar blended into the beautiful and melodic male and female voices.
The eucharist was followed by a variety entertainment programme. St Michael's Konkani prayer group, who organized the day's event, enjoyed wholehearted support from the Goan community to make the evening memorable.
The programme started with a beautiful prayer dance performance by tiny tots in pink and white. It was immediately followed by a welcome song by the Choir.
All traditions of the Monti Fest were strictly followed. Fr Freddie blessed the milk that is mixed with NOVE ( tender ears of rice) and drunk in thanksgiving for the good harvest.?
Frankie Lobo led the felicitation ceremony by welcoming all the priests onto the dais and honouring each one of them with a bouquet of flowers and a shawl. The main sponsors Alfred Dsouza and Gabriel Dsouza were also recognized. A list of co-sponsors was read out and those present at the evening were also invited on the stage.
The variety entertainment had everything to suit all ages and groups. The Brass band played traditional Goan songs. The hilarious Goan and Mangalorean skits made the audience laugh their wits out. Young boys and girls exposed their talent through dances and songs. Mangalorean and Goan cultures were beautifully portrayed in the form of folk dances and songs.
Proposing the vote of thanks, Flaviya thanked the priests, the Goan and Mangalorean communities, the volunteers, main sponsors and co-sponsors, donors and parents for making the Mother Mary's birthday a grand success.
There was a fellowship supper, where everybody joined and had a tasty and delicious traditional seven-vegetable Mangalorean meal which everyone relished.
For all those who participated and joined in, it was by far, an evening to remember!
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Nativity Fest Around the World : Report & Pictures: Click Here