IKK Bangalore Celebrates Monti Fest
Bengaluru: Indira Nagar Konkani Kutamb, Swamy Vivekananda Road, Bangalore celebrated Monti Fest(Nativity of Blessed Virgin Mary) at Resurrection Church Indiranagar Nagar Bangalore on Saturday, September 8 with Holy Mass in Konkani at 7.30 am.
Children led the procession with colourful flowers proceeded towards the main altar along with main celebrants singing Konkani hymn “Sakkad Sangatha Melyam”. Main celebrant Dr Fr Manoj D’Souza blessed the corn(New paddy).
Before beginning the Holy Mass Antony Fernandes IKK President welcomed the devotees. While addressing he told the importance of Monti Fest.
This was followed by Holy Mass in Konkani concelebrated by Fr John Soloman the Parish Priest, DrFr Manoj D’Souza S.J. Dr Fr Alwyn D’Souza S.J., Fr Arun Santhosh, Fr Soji from MSFS from Goa.
One of the Celebrants Dr Fr Alwyn D’Souza S.J. during his sermon stressed on the family values and urged to keep Mangalorean Konkani Catholic culture alive.
Throughout the Mass melodious Konkani Choir played a major role in enriching the spirituality of the celebration led by Richie D’Souza and keyboard played by Joseph with their dedicated team.
After the Mass the main celebrants, children and elders with flowers gathered in front of Mother Mary in the side altar to honour her.
As the choir sang “Moriyek Hogolshiyam” the children and devotees showered colourful flowers on Mother Mary.
Sunil D’Cunha and KonCab Banaswadi arranged new corn from Mangalore.
Valerian D’Souza Secretary of IKK delivered the vote of thanks.
Breakfast was served in the Church compound followed by distribution of blessed paddy and sugarcane to all the devotees In a true Mangalorean tradition.
There were nearly 800 devotees gathered for the feast and cherished every moment of the celebrations as the event reminded of their good old days in Mangalore.
On the whole, Monti Fest was celebrated by Indira Nagar Konkani Kutamb with fervor and in a grand and traditional way with the support of all members and their families.
Report by: Simon Lasrado
Pics by: Jason