Media Release

London, Sep 9: As we approach the week of Monthi Fest in a year which has taken the world by shock and with a pandemic, the hope within prayer is still alive. September 8 was the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary which was celebrated by Catholics, especially the South Asian Catholic communities with prayer all over the world.

British Konkani Community of UK celebrated the 24th year of Monthi Fest on Sunday September 6 with a live stream of mass in London broadcasted throughout the world. Thousands of people from around the world tuned into the live stream. Thousands of comments were received during the live mass from all corners of the world and from the homeland with people being thankful to be able to join the live mass.

Celebrated on September 8 every year, Monthi Fest is a major Catholic festival held by the Konkani community of south-western India. This festival celebrates the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary and in the Mangalurean Catholic community involves the blessing of Novem.

It is celebrated around the world and each year the Lobo family celebrate with a gathering of around 400-500 people with a mass followed by the traditional eight vegetarian dishes and entertainment.

During these 24 years, on invitation from the Lobo family, the then bishop of Mangaluru Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza celebrated this festive mass twice, on the 10th and 20th anniversary in London.

As we are all living through this pandemic, we have found new ways to celebrate and follow specific government rules to keep ourselves, our families and others safe.

On Sunday September 6, adhering to the UK COVID-19 regulations, 30 people from the British Konkani community attended a mass at St Patrick's Church Neasden. St Patrick’s Church was safely able to follow collective acts of worship.

Organized by the British Konkani community prayer group, the mass was able to comply with the government's public health and social distancing requirements. All members of the community had followed COVID-19 regulations to keep the spread of COVID-19 under control. The government has announced that face-covering has to be worn in places of worship with social distancing and with this in mind, all worshippers wore face covering.

Thirty people from the British Konkani community had attended the mass which was in Konkani at St Patrick's Church Neasden.

On behalf of the British Konkani Community of UK, the Lobos' convey their sincere thanks to all those involved in keeping this traditional family feast alive in London with a special thanks to the prayer group for organizing the mass and St Patricks Church.