MONTI-FEST AT ST.JOSEPH'S CATHEDRAL, ABU DHABI

Nativity Feast of Blessed Virgin Mary or Monti-fest in Konkani is one of the colourful feasts being celebrated through out Mangalore Diocese on 8th of September every year. This feast is also known as the feast of the family. On this day, the new corn of harvest is blessed during the mass and the people take this Novem as we call it in Konkani along with milk or coconut milk by thanking God for his love and for his favour of good harvest to his people. Even though far away from Mangalore, Mangaloreans take every step and effort to celebrate in their place of residence to have the nostalgic memory of the feast of Monti-fest celebrated in Mangalore. Such event always is very close to one's heart. Such feasts are always bringing all people close together in unity and in love to celebrate and to praise the Lord in whatever way they could.
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St. Joseph's Cathedral, Abu Dhabi had a festive look on 6.9.2001 when its compound filled with Mangalorean Catholics beaming with joy joined to celebrate the Monti-fest, an annual event organized by Konkani Cultural Organization (KCO). The children brought flowers to offer to Mother Mary to honour her on her birthday. Over the past 6 years, Mangalorean Catholics based in Abu Dhabi celebrate the Monti - fest with the same fervor and enthusiasm as in Mangalore. This year's Monti-fest will be written in golden letters in the annals of all Mangalorean Catholics based in Abu Dhabi as the Bishop of Mangalore, at the invitation of KCO arrived on 5/9/2001 to celebrate the feast with his people. 

At 7.30 PM, the offering of flowers took place. The choir headed by Mrs. Merlin Rodrigues sang hymns "Sakkad Sangatha Maliyem" in such beautiful way; it made the people to sing it along with the Choir that echoed the compound. His Lordship along with Fr. Cyprian of Dubai conducted the ceremony. Mr. Simon Richard Pinto headed the procession of beautifully decorated statue of Mother Mary. One would see the ocean of flowers all over the place where the ceremony of offering flowers took place.

Following the procession, at about 7.50 PM His Lordship celebrated an open air Holy Mass. Fr. Cyprian and Fr. Joseph Solomon joined in the concelebration. With his Lordship on the altar Hardik Swagath Tumka Mogal Govli Bapano in Konkani gave a colourful get up to the altar. By his sermon he enthralled the congregation. During the Mass the Novem was blessed. At the end of the Mass Fr. Cyprian thanked the Bishop for his gracious presence and his love to partake in the Nativity feast of Blessed Virgin Mary.

Immediately after the Holy Mass, all the Mangaloreans gathered there were served with light refreshment catered by Foodlands Restaurant, Abu Dhabi. Mr. Dolphy Vas, President of KCO, thereafter, invited the Bishop, Fr. Eugene Mattioli, Fr. Cyprian & Mr. Leo Rodrigues to the dais for a public reception Young children presented the flowers to the respected guests at the dais. Mr. Gerald D'Mello and his group sang welcome song entitled " Govli Ayla bhetouk sheliank" specially composed by Konkan Kogul Wilfy Rebimbus for this unique occasion. Mr. Dolphy Vas thereafter gave a welcome speech in English & Konkani on behalf of all Mangalorean Catholics based in Abu Dhabi and thanked the Bishop for gracing this occasion. He thanked the Bishop Gremoli and Fr. Eugene for their wonderful support for arranging the visit of the Bishop. Fr. Eugene on behalf of the Bishop Gremoli welcomed the Bishop. He stressed the point in his speech that during his 43 years of mission in this Gulf, he always enjoyed the company and service of Konkani speaking people. He said he was happy to receive the Bishop. He conveyed the message of Bishop Gremoli to his Lordship. Mr. Archibald Fernandes, Secretary of KCO, read the Man-patr. Mr. Leo Rodrigues presented the Bishop a memento as a token of remembrance. 

His Lordship thanked the Mangaloreans for their love showered upon him over the years. He thanked Bishop Gremoli for his support and love. He thanked Fr. Eugene, Fr. Mathew, Fr. Joseph, and Nuns of the convent for their support. He stressed the point in his speech that, his love for his people brought him to this place. He thanked KCO for their invitation thereby fulfilling his dream of visiting the UAE. He lauded the good service rendered by KCO. In his speech he emphasized his love for the poor and the steps & efforts taken by him to redress the situation. He said he is going to start the Engineering College from next year for the benefit of Mangalorean children. He felt the need to have an Engineering College for the Diocese after the survey undertaken by him. He also pointed out after the establishment of Fr. Muller's Medical College, about 43 Catholic students are being admitted for enrollment as students. He also requested the Mangaloreans to support Janavahini, as the news paper has done a lot of social cause for the benefit of the society.

This was followed by Konkani song sung by the students of Royal Music School. Youngl girls presented folk dance choreographed by Romana Anto. .A tableau on the life of Mother Mary conceived and directed by Mrs. Sylvia D'Silva was presented. Veteran Mr. Benette D'Mello's magical stage set up gave a different dimension to the tableau.

The blessed Novem was served at the end of the function. 

A crowd of about 2000 attended the Holy Mass and the Cultural Programme. Mrs. Reena Pinto compered the Cultural Programme

The programme ended at 11.30 PM. 

This event left a unique mark in the activities of KCO .The Mangalorean Catholics attended the event will always imprint in their hearts the Nativity Feast celebrated on 6.9.2001 for many many years to come.