Udupi: Novena in preparation for the Monti Fest begins at Moodubelle with floral offerings

By Eugene Moodubelle
Pics by Anil Alva
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi/M’belle, 30 Aug 2013: The nine day Novena in preparation for the feast of the Nativity of Blessed Virgin Mary (Monti Fest) began on Friday, August 30, 2013 in all parishes. In St. Lawrence Church, Moodubelle, the Novena Mass started at 8.30 am followed by the offering of flowers to Blessed Virgin Mary.

 

Fr. Paul Sequeira offered the Mass on the first day of the Novena. In his introductory message, Fr. Paul explained the meaning of the theme of the first day of the Novena-“Mary teachers us how to love God and our neighbours”.  He said that throughout her life, Mary showed by her deeds and actions how to love God and fellow-beings.

 

 

Following the end of the Mass, school children in the respective uniforms of their schools went in line in front of the main altar where the statue of Infant Mary  is  kept and offered few flowers and  proceeded to the portico for the final offerings of flowers as the choir sang the hymn “Sakkad Sangatha Mellyam….”

 

 

Once all the children and adults gathered in the portico, following the Novena prayer recited by Fr. Paul, the children offered flowers to Mother Mary to the accompaniment of the hymn “Moriyek Hogolshiyam…”

 

Sweets sponsored by the parishioners were distributed to all those who participated in the Novena. The similar procedure will follow during the remaining eight days.