Kuwait: In the Catholic tradition, the feast of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary is traditionally celebrated as Monti Fest (Feast) and a feast of family by Manglorean Catholics around the world with religious fervor.
As per the farming tradition, the feast of the new harvest coincides with the birthday of Our Lady. In gratitude for a bountiful yield, the new crop is blessed and prayed over.
The members of Kanajar Welfare Association Kuwait (KWAK) along with family members met at the premises of Apsara Bazar basement hall, Salmiya, Kuwait on Friday, 11 September at 12 pm, to celebrate Monti Fest.
The celebration began with an introductory speech by Edward D’Souza. The celebration of the day continued with the thanksgiving prayer, Novena led by KWAK General Secretary Rinitha Mascarenhas. KWAK members led the hymn “Sakkad Sangatha Melyan” and “Morriyek Hogalsiyan”, sung in unison by one and all, with simultaneous floral offering by the kids.
President Antony Miranda welcomed the guests. Soon after the president’s welcome speech, baby Rayzel Menezes, daughter of Robert and Sharol Menezes, celebrated her birthday by cutting the cake. Committee members served the cake and soft drinks to the guests. Melwin Mascarenhas and Leena Fernandes conducted various games for children as well as Adults.
The new committee of KWAK for the year 2015-2017 was also formed on the occasion. The new committee is as follows;
President : Ivan Abraham Menezes
Vice President : Rishawn Lawrence D’Souza
General Secretary : Charlotte D’Souza
Joint Secretary : Ivy Rodrigues
Treasurer : Sharol Menezes
Cultural Secretary : Gretta D’Sa
Sports Secretary : Ivan Saldanha
Public Relation Officer : Steve Rodrigues
Media Reporter : Edward D’Souza
A game of Housie was conducted by Edward D’Souza and Steve Rodrigues to entertain the attendees. Fr Xavier Marian D’Souza, assistant parish priest of Our Lady of Arabia Church, Ahmadi, Kuwait was the special guest for the event; he blessed all the guests with his spiritual speech.
The new president of KWAK, Ivan Menezes proposed the vote of thanks and expressed his gratitude to the committee members, guest priest and members of KWAK, especially those who prepared the delicious food for the feast.
The grace before meal was recited by Kanajar Kids. The delicious traditional food was prepared by KWAK members, with a special vegetarian menu symbolic to the new harvest of coastal Karnataka.
More than 130 Kanajareans, friends and relatives gathered for the feast. The entire proceeding of the feast day celebration was compered by Edward D’Souza and Melwin Mascarenhas.