Udupi Bishop Joins ‘Monti’ fest Celebrations at Pangla Church
Udupi: Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, the Bishop of Udupi diocese joined the devotees of St John Evangelist Church Pangla Shankerapura in celebrating the Feast of Nativity of Blessed Virgin Mary or popularly known as Monti Fest in the Coastal area. This feast also includes blessing of new grains thus thanking God for the new harvest.
New grains were blessed by the Bishop in front of the Marian Grotto. Gurkars of the 21 wards took grains in a procession as a sign of offering it to God. The Eucharistic celebrations was accompanied with a meaningful liturgy.
Deacon Jithesh Castelino preached the homily highlighting the day’s important celebrations of the Nativity of Blessed Virgin Mary, feast of new grains, family feast and the day dedicated to the girl child.
Bishop Gerald in his address recalled the teaching given by Pope Francis on family during his visit to Ireland where he preached that families should pray together eat together and spend time with each others. Words like ‘thank you’ ‘sorry’ and ‘please’ should be often used within the family.
Fr Ferdinand Gonsalves thanked everyone for their wholehearted support for the success of the feast.
Fr Royson Fernandes, the Assistant Parish priest, Fr Romeo Lewis, Fr Lawrence Mendonca and approximately 1400 devotees were present on the occasion. New grains and Sugar canes were distributed to the devotees.