Mangaluru: Children carrying decorated baskets and plates of flowers gathered at Catholic parishes across the Mangaluru and Udupi dioceses Sunday as the nine-day novena leading up to Monthi Fest, the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, began.
Children carrying baskets of flowers arrive at Holy Cross Church
The novena, which precedes the Sept. 8 feast, features daily prayers, Mass and the floral offering to Infant Mary. At the close of prayers, children shower flowers on the statue of Infant Mary as the Konkani hymn Hail Mary is sung. Sweets distributed afterwards make the observance especially popular among younger members of the community.Monthi Fest holds a special place in the cultural life of the Konkani Catholic community. While commemorating the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, it is also associated with the blessing of the season’s new harvest, or novem. On the feast day, freshly harvested paddy and other crops are brought to churches for blessing, after which the grain is taken home as part of family thanksgiving traditions. Celebrations also include novem jevan, a traditional vegetarian family meal. Sugarcane is distributed as a symbol of prosperity, joy and the sweetness of a fresh harvest.
Spanish citizens Paul Larkin and Tania D’Souza, of Mangalorean descent, with their children Noah and Anoki at Holy Cross Church
For Paul Larkin, a Spanish citizen visiting Mangaluru with his wife Tania D’Souza, of Mangalorean descent, and their children Noah and Anoki, the novena was an opportunity to connect with local traditions. “It’s amazing. It is so much centred around family, and what’s important this week is Mother Mary’s birthday, so it’s really nice,” he said, adding that it was important for children to experience different cultures and traditions.Sahitya Akademi Award winner and Konkani writer HM Pernal said Monthi Fest was “deeply connected to our soil and fertility” and provided an opportunity to connect with nature. Describing it as a harvest and family festival, he also called it a celebration of coexistence alongside other harvest-linked festivals such as Onam and Ganesh Chaturthi.The novena will continue until Monthi Fest celebrations on Sept 8.
