Infant Jesus Shrine - Devotees Flock in with Festive Spirit

Pics by Stanley Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SB)

Mangalore, Sep 8: Monti Fest was celebrated with great zeal, fervour and devotion at Infant Jesus Shrine, Bikarnakatte here.  After nine days novena that preceded the feast despite heavy rains people from all corners of the city flocked to the shrine to celebrate the birthday of Mother Mary. Children in their festive best and loads of flower in the basket or plates, offered flowers to Mary.

With the blessing of the new corn at 7.30 am at the Grotto of Mount Carmel, all moved to the church for the solemn Mass with children leading the procession, singing praises of the Blessed Mother and adorning the way with flowers.

On the auspicious occasion the newly designed website of the shrine www.infantjesusmangalore.net was inaugurated by Maurice D’Sa, a well-known Konkani writer and poet.

Fr Deep Fernandes in his homily appealed the faithful to imitate Mary and imbibe her virtues in their family life. Blessed new corns were distributed to all to take home to share in the new corn and the children were distributed sugarcane to sweeten their mouth.