Our Lady of Fathima Church, Pernal

Pics by Lorna Pernal

Udupi, Sep 9: Monthi feast is very greatly revered and celebrated in all the churches around the world. It is the birthday of Mary, the Mother of Jesus. Any birthday we celebrate gives us the opportunity of celebrating the gift of life. In every family the birthday of a mother has a special time of joy as she is the one who cares for all and this is one opportunity to respond fondly to that love.

The feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary was celebrated as early as sixth century. Christian who composed many of the hymns used in the liturgies, composed a hymn for the feast. The feast spread to Rome in the seventh century. Today it is celebrated throughout the world by christians.

The blessing of the new paddy began at the grotto at 8 am. Large number of devotees gathered in front of the grotto to offer the flowers to Monti Mary. Melodious traditional hymn 'Sakkud Sangatham Melyam’ was sung as children and elders offered the flowers to Mother Mary. After the blessing, all went in procession inside the church.

Fr Arthur Pereira, parish priest celebrated the holy eucharistic mass and delivered a homily. He said that the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary was a plan of God. 

"Mother Mary has taught us how to live like good human beings with faith and she has also taught us lessons on how to build holy families," he added.

At the end of the mass there was the distribution of prizes of competitions conducted by the associations in the parish. There was also the releasing of the parish magazine “Fatimacho Talo”.

Nancy Mendoca, the lucky winner among the first communion girls in May 2014, released the book.

After the mass laddus and sugarcanes were also distributed to all the congregation.