Kuwait: The feast of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary is traditionally celebrated as Monti Fest (Feast) and a feast of family by Mangalorean Catholics around the world with religious fervor and gaiety.
The feast of the new harvest coincides with the birthday of Our Lady on September 8. In gratitude for a bountiful yield, the new crop is blessed and prayed over.
The members of Shirva Welfare Association Kuwait (SWAK) along with family members met at the premises of Caesars Restaurant, Jleeb Al Shuyoukh, Kuwait on Friday, 11 September, 2015 to celebrate Monti Fest, the birthday of Mother Mary.
The celebration of the day commenced with a thanksgiving prayer and a recitation of the Rosary led by committee member Regina Serrao.
President Alwyn D’Souza welcomed the guests with a spiritual touch of words describing the importance of the feast and wished blessings of Mother Mary’s for the gathering.
SWAK secretary Doris Lobo led the hymn “Sakkad Sangatha Melyan ani Morriyek Hogalsiyan”, sung in unison by one and all. Simultaneously, a floral offering was conducted by the kids.
The Blessed “Novem” in milk was served to the gathering. SWAK’s ex-committee member and well-wisher, Ivan Martis delivered the festive message by highlighting the importance of Mother Mary’s role in uniting families. He exemplified Mother Mary’s miraculous blessings which gave him a new lease of life in overcoming his health issue where many failed to succeed.
In the midst of the celebration, Clifford D’Souza conducted various spot prizes and entertained the gathering. Towards the end of the programme, Housie Housie was conducted by Anil Menezes, Cultural secretary Robert Mathias and Clevan Fernandes.
Vice-President Urban D’Souza delivered the vote of thanks and expressed his gratitude to the committee members, and all those who contributed towards the staging of this celebration in various forms.
The grace before the meal was recited by the kids. The pinnacle of this celebration was the appetizing vegetarian meal which was served in a traditional style on banana leaves. The dining of the harvest meal in unison as one family was indeed the essence of this celebration.
The entire proceedings of the feast day celebration were compered impressively by Clifford D’Souza.
