Udupi/M’Belle: Monthi Festh Celebrated with Solemnity midst Covid 19 Pandemic

By Dr. Eugene DSouza
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi/M’Belle, 08 Sept 2020: In spite the scare of Covid 19 pandemic, one of the most important festivals amongst the Coastal Christian community, the feast of the nativity of the Virgin Mary popularly known as ‘Monthi Festh’ was celebrated in a simple but solemn manner in all the churches of the Udupi Diocese with staggering feast masses and blessing of the new paddy. In St. Lawrence Parish, Moodubelle two feast masses were arranged, first at 7.30 am and second at 9.30 am. This arrangement was done keeping in view the orders from the administration to maintain social distance.

 

Around 300 parishioners participated in the 7.30 am mass. Prior to the entrance of the parishioners into the church through the main door, the ICYM youth did thermal checking of each and every person followed by applying sanitization and directing the people to sit alternately two and one in each bench.

 

Prior to the celebration of the feast mass, Fr. Clement Mascarenhas and Fr. Jithesh Castelino blessed the new corn inside the church. Unlike the previous years, there was neither procession from the Grotto nor showering of flowers as children below ten years of age and elderly people above the age of 65 were asked not to attend the mass as per the directives of the administration.

 

 

In his homily, Fr. Clement Mascarenhas highlighted the importance of the Nativity of Virgin Mary and sais that the mission of Redemption of humankind commenced with the birth of Virgin Mary who not only destined to become the Mother of Jesus but also our Mother.

 

At the end of the mass, Fr. Clement Mascarenhas conveyed the greetings of the Monthi Festh to all the parishioners including those who are abroad. He appreciated all those, especially Fr. Jithesh Castelino who had worked hard to make arrangements for the novena and celebration of the feast mass. The choir enhanced the solemnity of the feast mass through their melodious singing.

 

The blessed new paddy was distributed to the parishioners by the Gurkars.