Moodubelle: Monthi Festh celebrated with devotion and fervor

By Eugene DSouza
Bellevision Media Network

Moodubelle, 08 Sep 2017: The feast of the birth of Mother Mary, popularly known as Monthi Festh in Karavali Karnataka was celebrated with devotion and fervor in St. Lawrence Church, Moodubelle on Friday, 8 Septembr 2017. Hundreds of parishioners with their children with flowers participated in the solemn feast mass.

 

Prior to the Holy mass, people along with children assembled in front of the Grotto. Gurkars of the wards holding bundles of new paddy stood in two lines. Fr. Clement Mascarenhas, Parish Priest along with Fr. Lawrence Cutinha-Assistant Parish Priest, Fr. Sunil Kumar D’Souza-native of Moodubelle, presently studying for doctorate at Rome, Fr. Stephen D’Souza-Director of Diocesan Liturgy Commission and Fr. Paul-Superior of Assisi Nilaya conducted the ritual of the blessing of the new paddy. Thereafter, the children showered flowers in front of the Grotto as the choir sang “Moriyek Hogolshiyam…”

 

Soon after the blessing of the new paddy, children followed by the adults went into the church in procession followed by altar servers, Gurkars carrying the blessed bundles of paddy and the priests. The Gurkars placed the bundles of the blessed paddy to the right side of the main altar in front of the specially arranged cradle of Infant Mary.

 

The solemn feast mass was  concelebrated by Fr. Clement Mascarenhas as the chief celebrant.

 

In his homily, Fr. Sunil Kumar D’Souza narrated the birth of Mother Mary as mentioned in the Gospel of St. James. He said that Mother Mary’s parents, St. Joachim and St. Anne were  devout couple who divided their earnings in three parts-one for God, one for the poor and one for the family.  After twenty years of their married life Virgin Mary was born to them who grew up in virtue who destined to be the Mother of Jesus Christ.

 

Fr. Sunil Kumar also explained the significance of the feast of the birth of Mother Mary as the day of thanksgiving to God for the new crop; feast of the family and the day dedicated to girl child.

 

The liturgy of the feast mass was animated by children. The choir rendered the hymns with melodious voice enhancing the festive atmosphere.

 

Soon after the mass, Fr. Clement Mascarenhas conveyed the greetings of the Monthi Festh to all the parishioners.

 

 

The sponsors of sweets that were distributed  to children who attended the novena masses with flowers were honoured with candles. Fr. Clement Mascarenhas distributed the candles as Mrs. Latha D’Mello, Secretary of the Parish pastoral Council read the names of the sponsors.

 

New Paddy donated by  Mrs. Carmin Quadros was distributed to all the parishioners by the Gurkars as well as representatives of various wards.

 

Sugar cane, sponsored by Gerald Fernandes was distributed to all the children.

 

 

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