Report by Loy Mendonca
Pics by Rajesh Soares

Salalah, Sep 18: On Friday September 16, the Feast of Nativity was celebrated here at St. Francis Xavier’s Church, Salalah, Oman, a land surrounded by green mountains where the feelings of Khareef (monsoon) still continues.  Monti  Fest is celebrated as Feast of the Families referred by Fr. Joseph Martis, Rector, St. Joseph’s Seminary, Mangalore, the main celebrant of the mass.

The mass was cons-celebrated by Fr. Albert D’Silva, Parish Priest , Ghala church, Fr. Raphy Vallachira, Parish Priest and Fr. Ashok Gonsalvis, assistant Parish Priest , St. Francis Xaviers Church, Salalah. Also attended by Fr. Thomas Serrao, Allahabad Diocese (UP) and parishioners (Mangaloreans and Goans) in large numbers.

The celebration began with rosary at 10.30 a.m. after which newly harvested “Novem”  was blessed. The hymn “Sakkad sangatha melliam” was melodiously sung by the whole congregation following with little children showering flowers joyfully.

After the mass ‘novem’ was distributed alongwith fresh local sugarcane and a pack of refreshments. A game of housie-housie was conducted and attractive prizes were given away to the lucky ones.