Rons Bantwal

Mumbai, Sep 15: The Kanara Catholic Association (KCA), a charitable institution, was founded in the year 1901, and has a rich legacy of service to the Kanarite community in Mumbai. Over the years, this has evolved to a much broader canvas, reaching out to all sections of society, especially with the establishment of the KCA Hostels and Halls.

The KCA Mumbai celebrated Monthi Saibinnichem Fest (Monthi Fest), also known as the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary on September 13 this year. Monti is the Konkani name for Mother Mary. This feast is one of the most popular festivals of the Mangalurean Catholics.

The celebration honors the birth of Mother Mary and includes the blessing of the Novem (new crops), a ritual offering thanks for nature's bounty and signifying the start of the new harvest. Flowers and garlands are an integral part of the celebration, leading to the Konkani epithet Fulanchem Fest (Feast of flowers).

Marked by the abundance of tender marigold flowers, succulent sugarcane and sprigs of paddy, the Monti Fest sees the community gathering to not only celebrate the birthday of Mary, the mother of Christ, but also a time to give thanks for the new crop.

Paddy is the staple of Mangaluru, forming a key part of every meal. The new first grains are hence offered in prayer and blessed, to be further distributed among families.

The feast is prepared with fresh produce, and ideally consists of an odd number of dishes. While fare like allu dentte (colocasia and spinach leaves cooked with Mangalurean masala), karathe(bitter gourd, prepared with grated coconut and masala) and alsande (a long beans preparation) are popular items in the meal, the vorn, a rich and comforting payasam of moong dal, coconut milk and jaggery, is something everybody looks forward to.

The KCA, under the leadership of Sunil Lobo and the managing council team, wishes everyone on the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. May this feast bring peace, happiness, and good health to all.