Mangaluru/Udupi: Christians across Dakshina Kannada and Udupi celebrated the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, popularly known as Monthi Fest, with devotion on Tuesday.The celebrations marked the culmination of the nine-day Novena, during which children offered flowers to Infant Mary. Hundreds of devotees gathered at churches across the coastal districts, presenting colourful flowers and petals before the statue of Mother Mary and praying for the well-being of children and women. Newly harvested paddy ears were blessed, and families later carried them home, placing them on family altars. The fresh harvest was also used to prepare traditional dishes, including Vorn (payasam).In Udupi, Bishop Emeritus Most Rev Fr Gerald Isaac Lobo blessed the new harvest. It celebrated the festive Mass at Stella Maris Church, Kalmady, in the absence of Udupi Diocese Bishop Most Rev Fr Leslie Clifford D’Souza. At Mother of Sorrows Church, parish priest Rev Fr Denis D’Sa led a special Mass, while at Milagres Cathedral, Kallianpur, diocesan Vicar General and Cathedral Rector Monsignor Francis Lewis blessed the new harvest.At St Anthony’s Ashram, Jeppu, Mangaluru, Most Rev Fr Peter Paul Saldanha, Bishop of Mangalore, presided over the festive Eucharist. Reflecting on the virtues of the Blessed Virgin Mary, he highlighted her role as the mother of the Church and a model of steadfast faith. The celebrations included the traditional blessing of the newly harvested corn (novem) and floral tributes by children. Rev Fr JB Crasta, Rev Fr Praveen Amrith Martis and Rev Fr FX Gomes concelebrated the Mass.Father Muller Charitable Institutions also observed the feast. Rev. Fr Faustine Lucas Lobo, director of FMCI, blessed the new corn and was the main celebrant at the Eucharistic celebration. The festivities included a procession carrying the image of Infant Mary, known as Bambina, from Father Muller College of Nursing to St Joseph Chapel. The homily was delivered by Fr Michael Santhumayor.
