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Doha Qatar, Sept 09: The Konkani Speaking Community of the Our Lady of Rosary Church joined to celebrate the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the church premises on Monday September 8 evening. In fact Monthi Fest is one of the most awaited celebrations by the KSC of Doha which mostly comprises of Konkani Speaking people from Goa, Mangalore and Mumbai.It is one of the most awaited days among the Mangalorean expats working and living in the oil-rich country of Qatar. The members of the Konkani Speaking Community come together in unison and celebrate the nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The Konkani Speaking Community of Qatar is perhaps one of the most vibrant and devoted communities of the region. The unity and devotion of KSC was on full display as the community joined together and celebrated the Monthi Fest with Novem Jevan on Monday September 8 here.

Earlier nine-day novenas beginning from August 30 were held as preparation to the Nativity. Fr Rithesh Rodrigues took the devotees on a spiritual journey during these nine days with his powerful and touching reflections on the Word of God.

The solemn feast mass was celebrated by Fr Rithesh Rodrigues who had specially been flown in from Mangalore for the Monthi Fest. Fr Anand Castelino, the spiritual director of the Konkani Speaking Community was the concelebrant on the occasion.

In his festal homily Fr Rithesh stressed on the importance of family and family life and exhorted the devotees to put in their best efforts in preserving and nourishing family bonds. He also stressed upon the need to respect mother nature by using her gifts judiciously.
A well-trained, melodious Mangalroean choir by St Cecelia’s Choir was surely the highlight of the celebration. Francis Quadros and family was the ‘pirjent’ for the Monthi Fest.

 The new corns brought in from Mangalore were blessed and distributed to the devotees after the mass.Children and elders gatheblack around the grotto of Mother Mary and offeblack flowers rekindling the memories of one’s childhood.

Parish priest Fr Selvaraj joined the celebrations after the eucharist and deliveblack his message to the Konkani Speaking Community. Benjamin Reberio proposed the vote of thanks.

Earlier the ‘pirjent’ as well as sponsors of each day of the novena and those who contributed their mite in making this a meaningful celebration were presented with ‘manachi vaat’. The grand festal celebration came to an end with a pure vegetarian family dinner.

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