M’belle: Tradition and devotion marks Monthi Festh celebration

By Dr. Eugene DSouza, Moodubelle
Pics By Anil Alva
Bellevision Media Network

Moodubelle, 08 Sept 2012: Tradition and devotion marked the celebration of the Feast of the Nativity of Mother Mary (Monthi Festh)  throughout the Konkan region among the Catholic community and Mangalorean community spread across the world. 

In St. Lawrence Parish, Moodubelle, the liturgical service of the Monthi Festh began at 8.30 am. Due to the rainy atmosphere, the  usual practice  of blessing the new paddy (Novem) was shifted from the Cross Hill to the main altar in the Church. Children with flowers were made to stand on the steps of the main altar on both sides of the crib of Child Mary. Members of the Parish Pastoral Council stood in line facing the main altar carrying bundles of new paddy  in their hands.

 

Following a brief introduction highlighting the importance of the Monthi Festh by Rev. fr. Joswey Fernandes, Parish Priest, the choir sang  “Moriyek Hogolshiyam….” As the children showered flowers  in honour of Child Mary as they have been doing during the past nine days of the novena.

 

Reciting the prayer, thanking the Almighty God for the bounty of the harvest and gift of new fruits and vegetables, Rev. Fr. Joswey blessed the new paddy.

 

 

The solemn feast mass was concelebrated by Rev. Fr. Joswey Fernandes as the main celebrant and assisted by Fr. Lancy Saldanha, Fr. Maxim Pinto (OFM-Cap) and Deacon Mahesh D’Souza.

 

In his homily, Deacon Mahesh D’Souza pointed out the significance of the day as the celebration of the birthday of Mother Mary, significance of the relationship between the nature and human beings, observation as the Girls and Women’s Day and the significance as the Family Day.

 

At the end of the Mass, Rev. Fr. Joswey Fernandes on behalf of  himself, Fr. Paul and Fr. Lancy extended the greetings of  Monthi Festh and thanked Gerald Fernandes and family for  sponsoring  sugar cane for children since the last 26 years, Charles Castelino of Pamboor for sponsoring the news paddy (Novem), Mrs. Irene Fernandes for the flowers for the main altar on the occasion of her 50th birthday,  members of St. Francis Xavier II Ward for cleaning the  new paddy, Mrs. Jacintha D’Souza, Secretary of Parish Council for arranging the new paddy, Fr. Paul Sequeira for training the choir which rendered  the hymns in melodious voice, Fr. Lancy Saldanha for training the liturgy readers and all the sponsors of the sweets  that were distributed to the children during the novena days.

 

The Parish Priest first handed over  the new paddy (Novem) to the Vice President of the Parish Council , Alpphonse K. Alva and other members and Gurkars who in turn distributed to the parishioners as they were seated. ICYM members helped the Parish Council members in distributing sugar cane to the children.

 

Carrying the new paddy sheaf in their hands, the parishioners  made their way to their respective homes  and keep it on the altar with lighted candles. Just before the vegetarian lunch they mix the powdered  peeled  corn  in kheer, milk  or payasam and consume it devoutly in a traditional manner thanking God and Mother Mary for the Novem and enjoy the purely vegetarian meal with family members.

 

Bellevision wishes Happy Monthi Festh to all its readers, advertisers,  reporters, photographers adnwell wishers.