Media Release
Abu Dhabi, Sep 9: St Joseph’s Konkani Community (SJKC), Abu Dhabi, celebrated Monthi Fest, the birthday of Mother Mary, on Saturday September 6 at St Therese Church under the guidance of spiritual director Fr Mariyan Miranda OFM Cap. Monthi Fest is a family fest for all Konkani speaking community and it is traditionally celebrated as a harvest festival by the community in the west coast of India. Konkani community in Abu Dhabi, celebrated this feast with grandeur, thanking God for the fruit of the earth, for the nature and for the farmers who toil to give bread to the world.
The celebration began with nine days’ novenas. The daily novenas included praying of Rosary, Devotional Marian Hymns, showering of flowers to Infant Mary by children and the Holy Eucharistic celebration with spiritually nourishing reflections by Fr Dr Valerian Fernandes OFM Cap, chancellor and judicial vicar, Fr Edwin Monis OFM Cap, Fr Rocky D’Cunha OFM Cap, Fr Maxim Cardoza OFM Cap, Fr Denis Saldanha, Fr Rohan Miranda OFM Cap, Fr Darick D’Souza OFM Cap, and Fr Mariyan Miranda OFM Cap.
Students from the Konkani Community who scored 80% and above in the secondary and higher secondary examinations for the year 2024-2025 were felicitated on September 4 by the parish priest Fr Chito Bartolo OFM Cap.
SJKC also honoured the below achievers from the Konkani Community on the September 4.
Michaela Fernandes – for securing a place in the India Book of Records for the maximum different types of runs participated by a Kid, Janica Rebello – 9th International Rank in mental aptitude olympiad, Reyona Fernandes – 400 Mts relay – silver medal – national level, Shanal Lobo – 400 Mts relay – silver medal – national level, Nishel Lobo – 400 Mts relay – silver medal – national level, Geonna Crasta – participated in national level swimming Competition, Rionel D’Souza – 2nd position in the senior category in UAE unique Projects
Altar Servers from the Konkani Community were given gifts for regularly serving during the novena masses.
On the Feast Day celebrated on September 6, the blessing of new corn (paddy) and showering of flowers began in honor of Infant Mary in a traditional way in St Joseph’s School ground. The faithful and the children gathered near the St Joseph’s School stage. Floral tributes were given to Mother Mary by little children with the choir singing the beautiful hymn ‘Moriyek Hogolsiya’.
His excellency Dr bishop Paolo Martinelli OFM Cap, the apostolic vicar of Southern Arabia graced this occasion by joining for the memorable event along with his excellency bishop emeritus Paul Hinder OFM Cap and four Italian guest priests the companions of his excellency and the resident priest of St Joseph’s Cathedral Parish. His excellency gave a beautiful message to the faithful before the Solemn Eucharistic celebration. A good number of children both little ones and grown-ups offered flowers to Mother Mary. Parishioners of different age groups took part in honoring Infant Mary, which thrilled and triggered nostalgic childhood memories among all.
The festal celebration began with a grand procession led by Altar Servers with the Cross, lectors, eucharistic ministers, faithful, SJKC committee members and priests. Statue of Infant Mary was carried by his excellency Dr Bishop Paolo Martinelli OFM Cap, the apostolic vicar of Southern Arabia and the new blessed corn – ‘Kanshi’ was brought to St Therese Church in procession by Lancy D’Souza, Leo Rodrigues, Conrad D’Souza coordinator of SJKC and Austin Menezes, Asst coordinator of SJKC. The solemn Festive concelebrated Mass was presided over by Fr Denis Viegas OFM Cap. The concelebrants were Fr Peter P M OFM Cap, vicar delegate of the vicariate, Fr Dr Baptist Rohan Miranda OFM Cap, judge of the tribunal in the chancery. Fr Peter Fernando OFM Cap, director of Family Ministry of the vicariate, Fr Dr Stefano Luca OFM Cap, priest in charge of St Francis Church, Abrahamic House, Abu Dhabi, Fr Mariyan Miranda OFM Cap, spiritual director of SJKC. The main celebrant Fr Dr Denis Veigas OFM Cap, with his inspiring homily made the celebration memorable. Over 1500 faithful devotees of Mother Mary participated in the Solemn Thanksgiving Eucharistic celebration.
After the solemn thanksgiving Eucharistic celebration. Fr Mariyan Miranda OFM Cap, the spiritual director of the SJKC welcomed all the concelebrants and the committee members offered them flowers, a token of appreciation. The parish priest Fr Chito Bartolo OFM Cap in his short message, acknowledged and appreciated the Konkani Community for their committed and dedicated support for the parish activities.
Every year during the Monthi Fest, the SJKC appreciates and honors all those whose meritorious contributions and constant support to our St Joseph Parish Church and to our St Joseph’s Konkani Community is praise worthy and we are grateful to all of them. We started this honoring from the senior members. This year it was the turn of the following parishioners Michael D’Souza, Ronald Pinto, Alwyn Crasta, Walter Almeida, Richard Castelino, Bendict Pinto, Godwin Aranha and Louis Stephen Martis were felicitated by the parish priest Fr Chito Bartolo OFM Cap, for their timely, exceptional and immeasurable contribution. The donors were honored by Fr Dr Denis Veigas OFM Cap, Fr Mariyan Miranda OFM Cap, spiritual director SJKC, Fr Dr Baptist Rohan Miranda OFM Cap, judge of the tribunal in the chancery.
Vote of thanks was rendered by SJKC coordinator John Conrad D’Souza whereas SJKC committee members Naveen Menezes and Deral Menezes compered the programme. The memorable moments of the celebration were captured by Dreferd Silveria, the SJKC committee member. At the end of the Festive thanksgiving Eucharistic celebration, the traditional and delicious ‘Novem Jevan’ was served. Blessed corn and sugarcane were distributed to all the faithful. It was indeed an excellent celebration as all those present enjoyed the precious family day celebration.
The whole event was conceptualized and managed by St Joseph’s Konkani committee members, volunteers and ushers, who provided their selfless and dedicated service relentlessly for all the nine days of Novenas and on the Feast Day. Monthi Fest is a memorable celebration for everyone especially for St Joseph’s Konkani Community of Abu Dhabi. The community beautifully and devotionally experienced Mangalore’s most revered tradition.