257 Yr old ‘Monti Festh’ Tradition Started on 8 Sept 1763 Continues at Farangipete Church

‘Monti Fest’ which originated at ‘Monte Mariano Church/Monastery’-Farangipet on 8 September 1763, is still continued by the Catholic faithful with great devotion and fervour- hailing from Omzoor, Farangipet, Merlapadav, Bantwal, Bellore, Fajir, Padil, Mogarnad and Loreto, gathered at the Church on 8 September 2020, for 8 am festive Mass. Monte Mariano/St Francis of Assisi Church-Farangipete was built here in 1526- and for more details click here : Monte Mariano Church-Farangipet – the Origin of ‘Monthi Fest’ 

Mangaluru : The ‘Monte Mariano Church/Monastery-Farangipete has a glorious history that dates back to 1763, where Fr Joachim Miranda, a Goan priest who served as FIRST parish priest cared for the spiritual needs of all the Catholics living across the coast till the foot of Western Ghats. Fr Miranda built a seminary at Farangipet, and owing to his exceptional holiness, Fr Miranda won the friendship of Hyder Ali, the then king of Mysore Kingdom. ‘Monthi Fest’ (feast of Nativity of Mary) was first introduced by him here, followed by all over Karnataka, India and Abroad. The first ‘Monti Fest” originated at this Church, and the first Monti Fest celebration was held here on 8 September 1763. And the tradition still continues with great devotion and fervour even today, ( 8 September 2020), 257 years later where the catholic faithful assembled to honor Baby Mother Mary with flowers and “Sakaad Sangatha Meliya…Moriyek Hogolsiya” hymn. But this year, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, celebrations were held in a low-key manner, and also because of many seniors priests and faithful of the Church.

‘Monte Mariano Church’ in Farangipet is an ancient Catholic denomination built by the Portuguese which include church, friary, monastery and institution, situated on top of the picturesque hillock on the North bank of Netravathi River, which is run by the Capuchin fathers. And the famous festival known as “Monthi Festh” coinciding with native festival of Mary is celebrated every year, which is an annual feast of the church coming during harvest season which coincides with Sankranti in Karnataka and Andhra, Pongal in Tamil Nadu and Onam in Kerala.

The Catholic faithful, including adults and children hailing from Omzoor, Farangipet, Merlapadav, Bantwal, Bellore, Fajir, Padil, Mogarnad and Loreto gathered at the Monte Mariano Church, where Fr Lancy Fernandes OFM Cap, blessed the new Paddy stalks (Novem), followed by placing of flowers by the children at the statue of Mother Mary. Fr Gerald Lobo-the Guardian at St Fidelis Friary (Monte Mariano Church/ St Francis Assisi Church-Farangipet, who usually celebrates the Monti Festh mass at Monte Mariano Church, this year he celebrated the Monti Festh mass at their sister-church ‘Infant Jesus Church in Pavoor, Uliya.

Fr Lancy Fernandes in his homily said, ” We should all be proud that ‘Monti Fest’ originated here on 8 September 1763, and 257 years later, we are all happy to celebrate it, even though not in grandeur and fervour, due to pandemic. “Monthi Fest” which is celebrated by the Mangalorean Catholic community had its origin in Farangipete. It was started in the month of September because in that month the other religion brethren celebrated their Ganapathi Habba-feast. It used to last for nine days, and during these nine days they were not eating meat or fish, but only vegetarian. So to inculcate the same kind of tradition among the Catholics, Fr. Joachim Miranda strictly followed nine days of novena to be held in honour of the Nativity feast, which was followed by everyone in their houses. And after blessing the new corn at the church, it was taken home and shared by all family members, along with sumptuous vegetarian meal”

“We should all know that Monti Fest brings families together, it is the process of sharing responsibility among the family and that is where the fun lies in this festival, this is also a way for relatives to know other members and friends of the family that seem to be vanished or are “too busy to call” and for the younger generation to know how tight a family bond is.“Monti festival is the festival of worshiping Mother Nature. Life will become holy while realizing mother’s love. Creating this valuable love in each and every family is the aim and the message behind this “Monti Fest” celebration. This celebration is also a reward given to the farmers for their efforts. We feel proud to celebrate this festival as a farm festival in an agricultural country like ours. While celebrating this feast of Mother Mary, let us honor our Mother and respect the women. Hence it’s our duty to honour this mother” added Fr Lancy.

MONTHI FESTH CELEBRATED AT INFANT JESUS CHURCH, PAVOOR-ULIYA

Mangaluru :Mangaluru Diocese which had declared quasi-parish dedicated to Infant Jesus of Mangaluru diocese celebrated its second Monti Festh with fervour and tradition. For decades this religious worshiping place was a chapel, but now it is rechristened as Parish and named as Infant Jesus Church, Pavoor-Uliya. It may be recalled that Pavoor Uliya, a small island created history by the people there by putting up a bridge with their hard earned money, last year, but within a couple of days, it was destroyed by miscreants for some reasons.

But on Sunday, 8 September Infant Jesus church Pavoor Uliya island celebrated Monthi Fest with joy and happiness. From August 30th onwards there was novena at 6 p.m. irrespective of children and elders, everybody brought flowers.The feast main celebrant was Fr Gerald Lobo, the Guardian at St Fidelis Friary (Monte Mariano Church/ St Francis Assisi Church-Farangipet, where He preached a very meaningful homily to the people of island. “Although the history of our Church was not known to the outside world for long long years, but years back media from Mangaluru and around gave wide publicity to our Church, thereby spreading the word of our Church near and far” said Fr Lobo.

He further said, ” Monti fest is a boon of prosperity to mankind. Family with love and affection will be happy forever. Family unity is disappearing nowadays. There is a need to form this unity again and let us secure our family life by practicing this. The role of women is primary in attaining holiness in the family life of Indians who treat women with great honor. But lately respect towards women has been decreasing, and many parents are looking forward to the birth of a boy rather than a girl. This kind of attitude needs to be stopped, because we should know that it was our Mother who gave us birth. Due to this attitude, the population of women in India is decreasing, and men are finding a tough time to find their suitable life partner. Let this Feast bring a change in our lives, and let us live united and happy, seeking Blessed Mary’s blessings”. After the mass, sugarcane were distributed to the faithful gathered, especially children, brought in miles of smiles on their faces.

Regarding Pavoor Uliya, it is an island on the Netravathi River and located about 12 km from Mangaluru with 35 houses, a Church (Infant Jesus Church) and a former government school. It was adopted by Dakshina Kannada Zilla in May 2017 in order to improve development. During summer, a temporary wooden bridge connects the island to the river bank. In the rainy season, a passenger ferry takes Pilates to and from the island. There are no street lights, shops or medical facilities on the island. At present there is no bridge connection to the Church, and so devotees had to use the boat service. It is learnt that a temporary bridge will be put up after monsoon stops.

Uliya means “leftover or remaining land”. The geography resembles a jagged oval shape. Most of the families here are Roman Catholic, except for one Hindu family. The native language is Konkani. Capuchin priests from Farangipet come here to celebrate Eucharistic Mass every Sunday. Every year during Christmas youth and children organize a cultural program.The basic sources of living are fishing and agriculture. Coconut trees and other fruit trees such as mango and jackfruit are grown on the island. Currently, the sand mining has caused huge damage to the island.

Even though it is learnt that on 29 July 2014, the Minister for health and family welfare, U.T. KhadRr of Karnataka, had said that the Karnataka state government, acting on the longstanding demands of the people of Pavoor-Uliya, has sanctioned the construction of a hanging bridge across the Netravati River, connecting the island to the mainland, and where a sum of Rs 3 crores had been released for this purpose- but until now NO BRIDGE from the govt -seems like minister’s ASSURANCE is in vain?

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