Udupi/M’Belle: Feast of Nativity of Mother Mary (Monthi Festh) Celebrated with Devotion and Joy

By Dr. Eugene DSouza
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi/M’Belle, 8 Sep 2019: Devotion and joy marked the celebration of the nativity of Mother Mary, popularly known as ‘Monthi Festh’ in the Karnataka Coastal region on Sunday, 8 September 2019 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. Gurkars of different wards carried bundles of new paddy and stood in two lines in front of the Grotto. 

 

Fr. Clement Mascarenhas, Parish Priest of Moodubelle along with Fr. Jithesh Castelino- Assistant Parish Priest, Fr. Sunil Kumar D’Souza and Deacon Ivan Martis 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 accompnied 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 carrying the new blessed paddy and the priests.

 

The Holy Mass was concelebrated by Fr. Clement Mascarenhas as the chief celebrant.

 

Delivering the homily, Fr. Jithesh Castelino said that the Feast of the Nativity of Mother Mary signifies four important aspects: The birthday of Mother Mary, Importance of the Girl Child, Family Feast and Feast of New Harvest. He explained all these important aspects of the feast by giving examples. 

 

Towards the end of the mass, Gurkars distributed sheaves of blessed new paddy to all the parishioners.

 

Following the end of the mass, Fr. Clement Mascarenhas conveyed the greetings of Monthi Festh to all the parishioners both within the parish and outside.

 

Candles of honour were distributed to the sponsors of sweets to the children during the nine days of novena and also sponsor of new paddy, Lawrence Alva and sponsor of sugarcane, Gerald Fernandes.

 

Sugarcane was distributed to children as well adults by ICYM members.

 

Watch the recorded live of Monthi Feast celebrations at St Lawrence Church, Moodubelle