Monthi Festh Celebrated with devotion and joy in St. Lawrence Church, Moodubelle

By Dr. Eugene DSouza
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi/M’Belle, 08 Sep 2023: Devotion and joy marked the celebration of the nativity of Mother Mary, popularly known as ‘Monthi Festh’ in the Karnataka Coastal region on Friday, 8 September 2023 in all churches. Children in their finest of dresses carrying flowers could be seen with broad smiles and happiness.

 

The service associated with the celebration of the birthday of Mother Mary commenced in St. Lawrence Church, Moodubelle at 8am with parishioners gathering in front of the Grotto.

 

Fr. George D’Souza, Parish Priest of Moodubelle along with Fr. Pradeep Cardoza- Assistant Parish Priest, Fr. Gnan Prakash-Rector of Karnataka Regional Propaedeutic Seminary, Moodubelle and Fr. K.J. Prakash conducted the prayer service and blessed the new paddy which has been an integral part of the celebration of the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

 

 

Following the blessing of the new paddy, children offered flowers to Mother Mary accompanied by the hymn, "Moriyek Hogolshoyam..."

 

Soon after the end of the service at the Grotto, all parishioners proceeded to the church followed by the Gurkars of various Wards of the parish carrying the new blessed paddy and the priests. The bundles of the new paddy were placed in front of the statue of Infant Mary in Cradle to the right side of the main altar.

 

The Solemn festive mass was concelebrated by Fr. George D’Souza as the chief celebrant.

 

In his homily, Fr. Pradeep Cardoza briefly traced the origin of the feast of the Nativity of Blessed Virgin Mary, the origin of the statue of Infant Mary in the Cradle,  and the significance of the feast in Christian Church and Christian family. He also explained the importance of the feast as the family feast, the feast of the new paddy, the importance of the protection and promotion of environment and the need to give importance to girl child and respect for the women in the family and society.

 

 

Following the end of the festive mass, Fr. George D’Souza conveyed the greetings of Monthi Festh to all the parishioners and thanked all the sponsors and those who had helped in celebrating the feast. He distributed candles of honour to all the sponsors of the sweets that were distributed to the children during the novena days and the sponsors of flowers to the main altar, sugarcane and new paddy.

 

Fr. George D’Souza distributed prizes to the Ward-wise winners of the Marian Quiz conducted by Fr. Pradeep Cardoza.

 

As the concluding hymn was in progress, members of the PPC distributed the new paddy sheaves to the parishioners who received with great respect and reverence and carried home.

 

Sugar cane was distributed to children as they exited from the church.

 

The entire liturgy of the festive mass was animated by the children.