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Doha Qatar: The Konkani Speaking Community (KSC) of Our Lady of Rosary Church here celebrated the nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, popularly known as Monthi Fest with zest and religious fervor on Thursday September 8 evening.

The nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, popularly celebrated as Monthi Fest by Mangaloreans all over the world, makes one feel nostalgic bringing back the childhood memories. While in the earlier years Mangaloreans overseas waited eagerly for the arrival of new corns sent by their family members back home, the situation has changed drastically in the last few years. The Mangaloreans spread across the globe specially in the Middle East today celebrates Monthi Fest traditionally wherever they are in typical Mangalorean style by sharing the new corns and then joining together for ‘novem jevann.’

The annual Monthi Fest celebration of KSC Qatar, which mostly comprises of Konkani Speaking people from Goa, Mangalore and Mumbai, is one of the most awaited occasions by the large number of devotees. Every year it brings together the entire community as one family partaking in the Eucharist and thereafter sharing ‘novem jevann’. Mangaloreans overseas waited eagerly for the arrival of new corns sent by their family members back home, the situation has changed drastically in the last few years. The Mangaloreans spread across the globe specially in the Middle East today celebrates Monthi Fest traditionally wherever they are in typical Mangalorean style by sharing the new corns and then joining together for ‘novem jevann.’

The solemn festal celebrations were led by Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi diocese, Fr Pius James D’Souza Episcopal Vicar for Religious Mangalore and Fr Anand Castelino, the most loved and admired spiritual director of Qatar Konkani Speaking Community was the concelebrant on the occasion. The festal celebrations were preceded by nine-day novenas beginning from August 30 as preparation to the Nativity visiting Fr Pius James D’Souza OCD took the devotees on a spiritual journey during these nine days His homilies and preaching during the novena days was appreciated by one and all present for the novenas as the subjects of preaching were made interesting and interactive through stories, real life examples and demos. He took the devotees on a spiritual journey during these nine days with his powerful and touching reflections on the Word of God.

In his festal homily, Fr Pius James D’Souza said, “The Konkani speaking people be it from Goa or Mangalore are good people of the community. They don’t think of harming others and this was possible because of the blessings showered by the almighty on the Konkani people. Konkani people have kept many customs and traditions alive and these are all centred around prayer.”“Along with blessings, there is a lot of negativity that has entered our daily lives which could be fought only through prayer and being close to the almighty,” he added.

A melodious Mangalorean Konkani choir by St Cecelia’s Choir group was the highlight of the evening. Jerald Leena D Mello and family was the ‘pirjent’ for the KSC Monthi Fest celebrations2016. New corn was blessed and distributed to the devotees after the Eucharistic celebration. The new corns grown in the fields of Herbert D’Souza were sent to Doha.

The ‘pirjent’ and all other donors who made this celebration possible through their contributions were presented with ‘manachi vaat’ before the mass by Bishop Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo.

A short stage programme was held after the Eucharistic celebration. Bishop Gerald Lobo, Udupi diocese, Fr Pius James D’souza Carmelite, Fr Anand Castelino, Vivian D’souza the president of the Konkani Community, ’Pirjent’ Jerald D’mello were present on the dais.Vivian D’souza welcomed the gathering and Sunil D’silva compered the stage programme. Prizes were distributed to children who won prizes in the drawing competition held on the occasion of Monthi Fest.

Bishop Gerald and Fr Pius were felicitated on the occasion on behalf of the Konkani Community of Qatar. President of Mangalore Cricket Club (MCC) Prakash Noronha, President of Mangalore Cultural Association (MCA) Arthur Pais, President of Goan Welfare Association (GWA) Simon D’silva were felicitated by the bishop on the occasion.

In this message, bishop spoke about the recent message given by the Pope on children. He reminded the community about how children spend their time today and called upon the parents to be alert and give time to their children. He also said that today was also the celebration of womanhood.“Every woman is precious. She unites family and instils devotion among the family members. It is therefore our duty to respect every woman and take care of her every moment,” he said.

The evening came to an end with the sharing of traditional ‘novem jevann’ which had been arranged by Jerald Leena D Mello and family for the entire gathering.

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