Rt. Rev. Bishop Francis Serrao presides over Monti Fest celebrations of Konkani Kutam Rome

Report by Fr. Melwin Pinto SJ, Vatican Radio

The small but vibrant Konkanni Catholic Community of Rome met at the Jesuit Generalate in Rome to celebrate Monthi Fest – feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Sunday, September 13. The feast has continued to be a sentimental event as a ‘kutmacho dees’ – family day, while going through the ritual of strewing of flowers in honour of Mother Mary and partaking in the ‘Novem’ – new corn and the fruits of the earth!

What enhanced the joy of the ‘kutaam’ this year was the presence of Rt. Rev. Francis Serrao SJ, Bishop of Shimoga, who presided over a solemn Eucharistic Celebration in Konkanni, concelebrated by several priests who are either pursuing higher studies or rendering religious service in Rome. Bishop Francis preached a delightful Homily highlighting the significance of the day and profound worth of an earthly and heavenly mother.

While the group gathered in the adjacent hall for a fellowship Bishop Francis Serrao was honoured and the group offered its good wishes to his new life of service in the diocese of Shimoga.

This was also an occasion to accord a fond farewell to the grand patriarch and founder member of the Konkanni Kutaam, Bro. Tony Crasta S.J., who is to return to India very soon after a long stint of 30 years of service in the Jesuit Curia. As an active member of the Kutaam, his contribution to the group will be ever remembered and his absence deeply felt. This was followed by a typically Mangalorean meal with tasty culinary delights of the Western coast of India, that were relished by one and all. Having taken all the trouble to organize the Mothi Fest, our beloved ‘Gurkaar’ Fr. Victor Rodrigues thanked Bishop Francis and everyone who cooperated with him in making the day a memorable one.