Monti Fest Celebration at our Lady of Fatima Church, Pernal

In spite of the Covid 19 pandemic, After the nine day Novena for the preparation of feast , the parishioners of Our Lady of Fatima church, Pernal celebrated the feast of the Nativity of Mother Mary(Monthi Fest) with devotion and gaiety on Wednesday, 8 September 2021. A large number of devotees gathered in the church for the solemn Holy Mass of the festival. Prior to the Holy mass, children and other parishioners with flowers gathered around the Mother Mary Grotto in front of our  church. Rev.Fr. Jerome Monteiro and Rev. Fr. Pascal Menezes  conducted a brief prayer service. Following the prayer service to the accompaniment of the hymn “Moriyek hogolshiyam…” the children and the devotees showered the flowers on the statue of Baby Mary.  Rev.Fr. Jerome Monteiro and Rev. Fr.Pascal Menezes, blessed the new paddy kept in front of the Grotto. After the blessings of the new paddy, it  was taken to the church as per the covid 19 government protocol with full respect. The solemn feast mass was celebrated by Resident Priest Rev. Fr. Pascal Menezes   as the main celebrant and assisted by our Parish Priest Rev.Fr. Jerome Monteiro  In his homily, Rev. Fr. Pascal Menezes traced the origin of the celebration of the birthday of Mother Mary and how the feast of the Nativity of Mother Mary came to be celebrated around the globe. He highlighted the significance of the Monthi Fest as the celebration of the birthday of Mother Mary, the service she did for the needy without their knowledge, role of  our own mother in our life,  importance of protection of girl child and the progress they are making at present in all the fields.
At the end of the Mass, Fr. Jerome Monteiro conveyed the greetings of the Monthi Fest to all the devotees and parishioners who gathered.and those who are not unable attend due to the covoid 19 pandemic and non resident Parishioners of our church. The sponsors of the Monthi Fest were honoured by Pascal Menezes by presenting them with candles as Mrs. Leena DSouza, the Secretary of the Parish Pastoral Council read their names. Also blessed paddy was honoured to the sweet sponsors during the Novenna. The priests handed over the bundles of new paddy to the Gurkars, who in turn distributed it to all the parishioners present for the solemn feast mass by going to their seats..
Stree Sangathan members distributed the milk which mixed with the newly blessed paddy. Following the end of the service in the church, sugar canes  were distributed to the children as well as the adults assisted by the members of the ICYM.  

Pictures Credit : Wilfred Castelino, Roydon Digitals Belman.