Moodubelle: In spite of incessant rain, Monthi Festh celebrated with great fervour and devotion

By Dr. Eugene DSouza, Moodubelle
Bellevision Media Network

Moodubelle, 08 September 2010: After the nine days novena during which the children enthusiastically offered varieties of flowers to Mother Mary at the grotto following the novena Mass, the feast of the birthday of Blessed Virgin Mary  (Monthi-Festh) was celebrated with great devotion and fervour by the parishioners of Moodubelle on Wednesday,  8th September 2010 at 8.30 am.

 

The rain that had started on the previous day continued incessantly even on Wednesday as  children and their family members were getting ready to go for the feast mass at 8.30 am. Braving the morning rain, parishioners streamed in the church with flowers. Though their fine festive dresses were a little wet, their spirit and devotion was quite high.

 

As it was raining the programme of the blessing of the new paddy (Kanshi) had to be modified. Instead of proceeding to the Cross Hill as usual, the children with flowers gathered in the portico of the church and offered flowers to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Thereafter, the children entered the church and occupied their front seats followed by the altar boys and they were followed by the members of the Parish pastoral Council carrying the bundles of new paddy kept at the entrance of the church. All the members stood in line in front of the altar where Fr. Joswey Fernandes, the Parish Priest blessed the new paddy. All members of the Parish Pastoral Council reverently placed the blessed paddy on a decorated bench in front of the cabinet with the statue of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

 

The feast Mass was concelebrated by Fr. Joswey Fernandes, Fr. Arun Mendonca, Fr. Lancy Saldanha and Fr. Charles Menezes who was the chief celebrant. Fr. Lancy Saldanha preached the homily. The devotion during the feast Mass was heightened due to the fine singing of the Parish Choir led by Fr. Paul Sequeira.

 

Following the end of the feast Mass, Fr. Joswey Fernandes conveyed the greetings of the Monthi Festh to all parishioners and their family members who are in various cities of India and abroad. He complemented the children for bringing flowers on all the ten of day of the novena and the feast day. He thanked Mr. Gerald Fernandes for sponsoring the sugar cane and Dominic Nazareth for providing the new paddy corn.

 

 

The members of the parish Pastoral Council distributed the new paddy to all the parishioners who were seated. The entire process of distribution went off very well in a systematic and disciplined manner.

 

Sugar cane was distributed to the children and later the adults  by the help of the ICYM members. The continuous rain made it quite difficult for the distribution of the sugar cane. However, the children were excited to receive the sugar cane.

 

In spite of the incessant rain the Monthi Festh was  celebrated with great fervour, devotion and enthusiasm by the parishioners of Moodubelle.  After the Feast Mass, people have proceeded to their respective homes carrying the blessed new paddy. They will take the paddy inside the house by lighting candles and placing it at decorated altar. Before the vegetarian lunch they will take out the kernel and mix it with sweet preparation and consume it thanking Almighty God for the gift of new harvest.

 

As the families celebrate the Monthi-Festh, they will miss their near and dear ones who are abroad. However, while praying for their good health and happiness the entire family would be one in bond of love and unity.

 

Bellevision wishes all its readers and well wishers a Happy Monthi Festh.