Doha-Qatar: The Konkani Speaking Community (KSC) of the Our Lady of Rosary Church joined to celebrate the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the church premises on September 8 Thursday evening. In fact Monthi Fest is one of the most awaited celebrations by the KSC of Doha which mostly comprises of Konkani speaking people from Goa, Mangalore and Mumbai. It is one of the most awaited days among the Mangalorean expats working and living in the oil-rich country of Qatar. The members of the Konkani speaking community come together in unison and celebrate the nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The Konkani Speaking Community of Qatar is perhaps one of the most vibrant and devoted communities of the region. The unity and devotion of KSC was on full display as the community joined together and celebrated the Monthi Fest with Novem Jevann on Thursday September 8 evening.

The 9 days of Novena with mass in preparation for the feast already began on Tuesday, August 30 conducted by visiting priest Fr Pius James D’Souza Episcopal Vicar for Religious Mangalore Diocese which took the devotees on a spiritual journey during all nine days with his powerful and touching reflections on the Word of God.

The solemn feast mass was celebrated by Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi diocese who had specially been flown from India for the Monthi Fest celebration at Qatar. Fr Anand Castelino, the spiritual director of the Konkani Speaking Community was the concelebrant on the occasion.

In his festal homily Fr.Pius Dsouza stressed on the importance of family and family life and exhorted the devotees to put in their best efforts in preserving and nourishing family bonds.

Jerald Dmello and family was the ‘pirjent’ for the Monthi Fest 2016 celebration. Earlier the ‘pirjent’ as well as sponsors of each day of the novena and those who contributed their mite in making it a meaningful celebration were presented with ‘manachivaat’ (Honour Candle)

Melodious Konkani Hymns sung by Mangalorean St Cecelia’s Choir was surely the highlight of the celebration. The new corns brought in from Mangalore were blessed and distributed to the devotees after the mass.

After the mass small program was conducted by KSC in which all parishioners actively involved. Bishop Gerald and Fr Pius were felicitated on the occasion on behalf of the Konkani Community of Qatar. President of Mangalore Cricket Club (MCC) Prakash Noronha, President of Mangalore Cultural Association (MCA) Arthur Pais, President of Goan Welfare Association (GWA) Simon D’silva were felicitated by the bishop on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion Dr Isaac Gerald Lobo highlighted recent message given by the Pope on children. He reminded the community about how children spend their time today and called upon the parents to be alert and give time to their children. He also said that it was also the celebration of womanhood. “Every woman is precious. She unites family and instils devotion among the family members. It is therefore our duty to respect every woman and take care of her every moment,” he said.  

Later on, Bishop awarded prizes for kids who won the ‘coloring the mother Mary’s image’ competition conducted by KSC on a part of Monthi fest. KSC president Vivian Dsouza proposed the vote of thanks. Sunil Dsilva compered the event.

The grand festal celebration came to an end with a pure vegetarian family dinner.