Udupi: Large number of children take part in Novena and offering of flowers at Mount Rosary Chu

By Richard Crasto
Bellevision Media Network

Kallianpur/Udupi, 04 Sep 2013: The feast of Nativity of B.V. Mary in short Monti Fest is being celebrated on the 8th of September 2013 by all Catholics all over the globe.  However, it has very meaningful and significant value among Mangaloreans all over the globe.  It is first of only one traditional feast where new corn is blessed and distributed to all the parishioners of the each parish in Mangalore and Udupi Diocese. It is also a close and very dear family feast to all the Mangaloreans and the one feast among Mangalorean where vegetable meal is served and a special vorn (Payasam) as a sweet dish. Some families still practice traditional Sanna Roce before the afternoon meal.

 

The preparations for Monti fest begins with the 9 day novena prior to the Feast and every day after the Novena mass the children offer flowers to the statue of Mother Mary erected the grotto of each parish.  There are different ways of celebrating feast some parishes conduct games for children prior to the feast and some conduct on the feast day itself.

 

 

In Kallianpur Mount Rosary Parish Children too took part in Novena of B.V. Mary in a traditional splendor the children beautifully dressed carrying flower basket in their hand filled with colorful flowers from their garden seen walking to church.

 

Day by day the children also increase in significant number to pray and devote the early morning services of Mass and novena. An average week day witnesses around 175 children at the Mount Rosary parish and holidays attract more children.

 

As a reward these children have been distributed sweets and stationary by generous donors. The ICYM members extend their voluntary service to distribute sweets.

 

Every ward of the parish are contributing their share and participating in the Liturgy order with offertory. Fr. Philip Neri has been  organizing the Novena proceedings and coordinating with the parishioners for the success of week day Novena, offering of flowers by children and ultimately planning to the grand feast of Nativity of B.V. Mary on the 8th of September 2013.