27/09/2024
Album 3 - Monthi Feast – 2024 celebration at St Francis Xavier Church, Bejai, Mangalore.
On 8th September, 2024, the Monthi Feast at St Xavier Church, Bejai was celebrated with great enthusiasm and grandeur. The celebration began with the traditional blessing of the ‘New Fruit - Novem’, symbolizing gratitude and offering of nature’s bounty. This was followed by the most touching part of showering of flowers by children to honour Maria Bambina, a gesture of love and devotion. Dressed in their finest, the children lined up to offer flowers to Mother Mary while the choir sang the hymn ‘Sakkod Sangatha Mellyan.’
The event continued with a procession where a band led the way, creating a joyful atmosphere as the members of Monthi Saibhinichi Sabha, altar servers and the priests moved in a grand procession, carrying the ‘new fruits’ to symbolize the harvest and blessings of the season.
The main celebrant of the Eucharistic Celebration was Rev Dr John Baptist Saldanha, the Parish Priest of Bejai Church. Rev Fr Norman Mathias, Rev Fr Johnson L. Sequeira and Rev Fr Peter Mascarenhas concelebrated. Fr Saldanha in his homily focussed on family values. The members of Monthi Saibhinichi Sabha and the parishioners made offerings during the offertory.
Rev Fr John Baptist Saldanha thanked each and every one who extended their helping hand in making the whole celebration a grand success. The blessed new fruit and sugarcanes were distributed to everyone representing a cultural and seasonal significance.
After the religious ceremonies, the members of Monthi Saibhinichi Sabha, members of the Parish Pastoral Council gathered for the traditional ‘Novem Jevann,’ a celebratory meal that symbolizes the sharing of newly harvested grains.
A big thanks to our Parish Priest, Rev Fr J B. Saldanha and other priests for their guidance in organizing and celebrating this beautiful feast. Special thanks to the Vice President and the Secretary of Bejai Pastoral Council, members of Monthi Saibhinichi Sabha and the Parish Council Members for their dedicated efforts in ensuring the event’s success.
This year’s Monthi Feast was a perfect blend of spirituality, tradition and community bonding making it a memorable and joyous occasion for all who attended.
