Christians of Udupi District Celebrate Monti Fest with Religious Fervour and Joy
Udupi: Christian communities across Udupi district celebrated the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, popularly known as Monti Fest, with great devotion and enthusiasm on Tuesday, September 8.
At churches across the district, newly harvested paddy ears were blessed, and special prayers were offered. Children offered flowers to the statue of the Infant Mary, while families celebrated the occasion at home with traditional vegetarian meals and dishes prepared using newly harvested rice, including milk-based payasam.
The grand finale of the nine-day tradition of children offering flowers to the Infant Mary was witnessed at churches across the coastal region on Tuesday. Hundreds of children and devotees gathered before statues placed in front of the grottoes and offered colourful flowers and petals as a mark of devotion and joy. The celebrations reflected their love and reverence for Mother Mary, accompanied by prayers for the protection and well-being of children and women.
Religious programmes were held at churches throughout the district. Priests blessed the new harvest and celebrated festive Holy Masses.
In the absence of Udupi Diocese Bishop Most Rev. Dr. Leslie Clifford D’Souza, Bishop Emeritus Most Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo blessed the new harvest and celebrated the festive Holy Mass at Stella Maris Church, Kalmady. He also delivered the festive message.
In his message, Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo said that Monti Fest has not only religious significance but is also a rich cultural tradition that promotes universal values such as gratitude, family, sharing, and mutual care.
He said the festival provides an opportunity to renew the values of concern, compassion, and forgiveness. Families do not become strong because their members are perfect, but because they are willing to understand one another, forgive mistakes, support each other during difficult times and share moments of happiness.
Forgiveness heals relationships, while appreciation and encouragement strengthen them further, he said.
The celebration of Monti Fest also reminds people of their relationship with the land and nature. The new harvest, fruits and flowers symbolise the generosity of nature and the hard work of farmers who cultivate the land. The festival encourages people to be grateful for the food they receive, respect the efforts of farmers and protect the environment responsibly.
He said the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary gives the festival its religious significance, while the values conveyed through Monti Fest transcend religious boundaries. Gratitude, sharing, respect for elders, family love, forgiveness, mutual care and respect for nature are universal values that enrich every society, he added.
At Mother of Sorrows Church, Udupi, a special festive Mass was celebrated under the leadership of Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Denis D’Sa.
At Milagres Cathedral, Kallianpur, Diocesan Vicar General and Cathedral Rector Monsignor Francis Lewis blessed the new harvest and celebrated the festive Holy Mass.
The traditional harvest festival, celebrated across the coastal region on the birthday of Mother Mary, brought joy to households throughout the district. Early in the morning, paddy ears and sugarcane were carried in procession to churches by community representatives. The priests blessed the harvest, which was later distributed among the faithful.
Devotees carried the blessed paddy ears home with reverence, placed them on their family altars, and offered prayers. The newly harvested rice was pounded and prepared with milk and coconut milk to make payasam and other traditional dishes. A completely vegetarian meal was a special feature of the celebrations.
Monti Fest and the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary were also celebrated with great enthusiasm at several other churches, including St. Lawrence Basilica, Attur, where Rev. Fr. Alban D’Souza led the celebrations; Holy Rosary Church, Kundapura, under the leadership of Rev. Fr. Paul Rego; and Our Lady of Health Church, Shirva, where Rev. Fr. Charles Menezes led the festive celebrations.
The celebrations across Udupi district reflected a harmonious blend of faith, tradition, family values, gratitude, and community fellowship, as the faithful came together to honour Mother Mary and celebrate the blessings of the new harvest.
