KSC Doha celebrates Monthi Fest 2017 with religious fervor
By Jerald DSouza
Bellevision Media Network
Doha-Qatar, 09 Sep 2017: The Konkani Speaking Community (KSC) of Our Lady of Rosary Church here celebrated the nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, popularly known as Monthi Fest with zest and religious fervor on Friday September 8 evening with “ Mariiecho Zalm chisti Kutmancho Santos”.
The annual Monthi Fest celebration of KSC Qatar, which mostly comprises of Konkani Speaking people from Goa, Mangalore and Mumbai, is one of the most awaited occasions by the large number of devotees. Every year it brings together the entire community as one family partaking in the Eucharist and thereafter sharing ‘novem jevann’. Mangaloreans overseas waited eagerly for the arrival of new corns sent by their family members back home, the situation has changed drastically in the last few years.
The solemn festal celebrations were led by Rev. Fr. Roshan Rosario, OFM Cap Principal of St. Anthony’s PU College (Commerce & Arts) , Kengeri, Bangalore. and Fr Anand Castelino, the most loved and admired spiritual director of Qatar Konkani Speaking Community was the concelebrant on the occasion. a traditional Mangalorean style, the Paddy, was brought to Altar in a procession and blessed by Fr. Roshan Rosario.
The festal celebrations were preceded by nine-day novenas beginning from August 30 as preparation to the Nativity visiting Rev. Fr. Roshan Rosario, OFM Cap took the devotees on a spiritual journey during these nine days with his powerful and touching reflections on the Word of God and role of Mother Mary in one’s life and family.
In his festal homily, Rev. Fr. Roshan Rosario, OFM Cap stressed upon the importance of family in one’s life and importance of love for a successful family life. “While there are so many virtues that make a family, love is the most important among them. With love comes patience, forgiveness, understanding, forbearance etc which contribute to build and live life of the Holy Family. Blessed Virgin Mary is our spiritual mother and hence all reverence and honour must be bestowed on her. Our biological mother who gives birth to us and takes care of us to the end is the living god seen by us. Similarly, the Holy Church is our third mother while nature, the God’s own creation is our fourth mother. All these four mothers play equally important role in forming and shaping the lives of human beings,” he said. Give respect to ladies in the family and in the communities.
A melodious Mangalorean Konkani choir by St Cecelia’s Choir group was the highlight of the evening. New corn was blessed and distributed to the devotees after the Eucharistic celebration. The new corn grown in the fields of Herbert D’Souza were sent to Doha by Dolla Mangalore.. After the mass all children offered flowers to Mother Mary in the traditional way with Sakkad sangata Melya Moriyek Hogolsiya. Parish priest Rev Fr Rally Gonzaga OFM cap joined the celebrations after the Eucharist and delivered his message to the Konkani Speaking people.
The Murdoms of the festival, Novena Sponsors and all other donors who made this celebration possible through their contributions were presented with ‘manachi vaat’ before the mass by Rev. Fr. Roshan Rosario, OFM Cap.
After the mass stage programme presided over by the Rev. Fr. Roshan Rosario. KSC this occasion, felicitated to Rev. Fr. Roshan Rosario by Fr Anand Castelino, spiritual director of Qatar Konkani Speaking Community. Fr Anand Castelino given memento to Rev. Fr. Roshan Rosario.
KSC president Vivian Dsouza welcome the guest. Reena Castelino compered the program and KSC committee member Sunil D Silva proposed vote of thanks.
The evening came to an end with the sharing of traditional ‘novem jevann’ that promotes unity of the Konkani Speaking Community.
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