Media Release
Bengaluru, Sep 8: St Peters Konkani Kutam celebrated Monthi Fest, at St Peters Church, Rustam Bagh, Off Old Airport Road, Bangalore on Thursday September 8, with a Holy Mass in Konkani to a crowded gathering of devotees.
The solemn programme started with the blessing of Novem (new paddy) by Fr Adrian Mascarenhas. This was carried in a procession along with the beautiful infant Mary’s statue with the choir singing the Konkani hymn ‘sakkad sangatha melyan’’, while the children led the procession holding plates of colourful flowers into the church. The main celebrant for the event was Fr Francis Pinto, SJ while Fr Jayaraj, parish priest and Fr Daniel Dhas, assistant parish priest of St Peter’s Church were the co-celebrants.
Inside the church, Fr. Francis Pinto started the solemn service. Emilian D’Souza, president of SPKK then addressed the gathering and made a brief introduction. Throughout the Mass the melodious Konkani choir led by Joe Mascarenhas played a major role in enriching the spirituality of the event.
Before the end of the service, Janet Rego, secretary of SPKK in her note of thanks, appreciated the efforts of all those who had put in all their time and energy in decorating the church and all other associated activities therein. The SPKK felicitated all the high achieving students of the Kutam for the past three years with a Plaque and a cash gift. Fr Jayaraj well appreciated the efforts of SPKK in celebrating Monthi Fest in such a grand manner at the parish. Novem was distributed to all at the conclusion of the mass.
At the Grotto, after a brief prayer, as the choir sang the beautiful Konkani hymn, Moriyek hogolsiyam, the children and adults who had gathered around the infant statue of our beloved Mother Mary to honour Her, showered colourful flowers on the statue of our dearest Infant Mary.
Thereafter, Novem mixed with roce was served in true Mangalorean tradition style. The gathering then engaged in fellowship and it was great to see radiant smiles everywhere. Children were perked up with the excitement around and there was an atmosphere of joy and happiness all around. This was followed by a sumptuous traditional Mangalorean meal. Sugarcane was distributed at the end and the children and adults alike were thrilled to carry it with them back home.
Around 150+ members gathered for this and they cherished every moment of this celebration as this event reminded everyone of their good old days in Mangaluru.
On the previous Sunday, for the benefit of the larger parish community, SPKK organized a ‘flower shower’ at the grotto which saw a huge gathering joining in and celebrating the beautiful occasion. Children were treated to chocolates! We take this opportunity to offer our sincere thanks to all the sponsors, for their generous financial contribution and to all the others who contributed in whatever way they could to make this special occasion a success and a testimony to the faith in our beloved Mother Mary.
Overall, Monti Saibinichem Fest was celebrated by SPKK, Bengaluru, in a very grand and traditional way, full of pomp and religious fervour with the support of all the members and their families.