Mangaluru, Sep 8: The feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, also called the Monthi Fest, was celebrated with devotion at Infant Mary Church, Bajjodi on Tuesday September 8.

The celebration began at 7.15 am with the blessing of the new paddy. The beautiful age-old tradition of offering flowers to mother Mary was performed by the parishioners with devotion as the choir sang the traditional hymns.

Fr Archibald Gonsalves was the main celebrant. Parish priest Fr Ivan D’sSouza, Fr Patrick Lobo, Fr Barnabas Monis, Fr Rayan Pinto concelebrated the holy Eucharist. In his homily, Fr Archibald Gonsalves expounded the uniqueness of the feast, bringing out the virtues of mother Mary. He also stressed the values of a mother and also related it to the way we should respect women in our homes and society.

The parish priest Fr Ivan Dsouza thanked everyone for their wholehearted support which led to the success of the feast. Blessed strands of paddy and sweets were distributed to the parishioners.