Muscat: Nativity Feast celebrations at Ss. Peter & Paul Church

By Simon DSouza
Pics By Dileep Correa
Bellevision Media Network

Muscat, 10 September 2011: This year Sts Peter & Paul, catholic church, Ruwi-Muscat, Sultanate of Oman, is celebrating its 24th year of Monthi Fest celebrations.

 

Like last year, this year too had spiritual preparation for the feast, included nine days novena with a Holy Mass started rather late at 8.15 p.m, after the regular evening mass. Fr. Joseph Martis, Rector, St. Joesph’s Seminary Jeppu, especially invited from Mangalore for the occasion, inspired the faithful through his very effective and the meaningful homilies. Different themes were presented each day in the introduction which was well-brought out through the gospel readings. At the end of the mass the novena prayers were recited and the children offered flowers to Mother Mary. Snacks and sweets were distributed everyday for children as a token of appreciation.

 

The Konkani Choir did a wonderful job of leading the singing for the daily novena mass and for the feast.

 

 

The main celebration of the feast was on Wednesday 7th September, 2011. The celebrations began at 8.15 p.m. with the children gathering at the grotto with flowers to honour Mother Mary to the tune of the traditional hymn of the occasion "Sokkod Sangathan Melyan". The main celebrant of the day Fr. Joseph Martis blessed the bambino of the infant Mother Mary and the new corn specially flown from Mangalore. The spirit of joy, celebration, enthusiasm and devotion was visible in everyone gathered as the children showered flowers to the tune of "Moriyek Hogolsiam".

 

After the showering of flowers, Fr. Joseph Martis, celebrated the solemn High Mass in Konkani along with Fr Albert D’Silva, Parish Priest Holy spirit Parish Ghala, Fr Raul Ramos, the Parish Priest and a guest priest Fr. Stalin. In his homily Fr. Martis said Mother Mary is a beautiful gift from God for all of us. He urged the faithful to offer our loving families as a gift to her. The Mass commenced with a welcome note by MCCP president, Mr. Stanly Fernandes. Fr.Albert D’Silva, thanked Fr. Joseph Martis, the Parish Priests and all the sponsors and benefactors. Fr. Raul Ramos in his turn thanked the Konkani community for their valuable support and contribution to the parish.

 

After the Eucharistic celebration, continuing the tradition, the organizing committee distributed the blessed corn "Novem", holy picture, Sweet and juice to all the faithful and a bag of goodies and sugarcane to the children.