Dubai: Grand Monti Fest celebrated at St. Mary’s Church

By Elias DSouza
Pics by Loyan Rodrigues
Bellevision Media Network

Dubai,  06 Sept 2013 :  The season of feast of Nativity of B.V. Mary has just begun.  The most enthusiastic being the little children carrying flowers everyday and offering at the grotto all over parishes in Mangalore and Udupi.    Monti Fest being a family traditional feast celebrated with great devotion especially among Mangalorean community all over the world.  The feast actually falls on 8th of September, however in the gulf region it has been celebrated at the convenience of the people especially on the weekends that is Thursday or Friday.

 

 

In Dubai it was celebrated on Thursday evening where the colorfully dressed enthusiastic little children showed their love and affection to Mother Mary by showering flowers at the grotto at 7:45pm prior to the mass.  Fr. Alban blessed the statue of infant Mary and also the new corn and thanked God Almighty for providing food for us in the form of new corn.  This tradition is followed from the early ages our ancestors came down from Goa in the 16th Century and it was the day our ancestors gave thanks to God for providing us food and nourishment.

 

 

The festival mass was concelebrated by the visiting priests:  Rev. Fr.Walter  Mendonsa from Kulsekar (Mangalore) and Rev. Fr. Alban DSouza(from Kalmadi Parish of Udupi Diocese).  Fr. Alban DSouza had held Triduum Prayer in preparation for Feast of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin to the konkani congregation.    He also delivered homily wherein he insisted upon the values of the family and wished all the parishioners blessings of Mother Mary on the auspicious day. 

 

 

The grand mass was attended by nearly 5000 people with great devotion.  The entire feast celebrations were organized by St. Mary’s Mangalorean Community.  Prior to closing of the ceremony the  President of SMMC thanked for the congregation attending the retreat and especially today coming in large numbers and wished all the people Happy Feast of Nativity of B.V. Mary or fondly called as Monti Fest by all Mangaloreans.  He also grateful for Fr. Alban for preaching the retreat for the konkani community and preparing them for the great feast with devotion to celebrate the feast.  He also thanked Fr. Walter Mendonsa for concelebrating the Holy Mass.

Norbert Sequeira, head of lay ministers  also thanked the President for his enthusiasm and support to organize the retreat and the grand feast celebrations and also thanked the visiting priests for the dedication to serve Konkani community of Dubai Parish.

At the end of the celebration the Novem Jevann was served for all those attended the mass which was very well and systematically arranged by SMMC members.