FMCI Celebrates the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary with Faith and Festive Joy
Mangaluru: The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, celebrated on September 8, holds a special place in the hearts of the Catholic community of the erstwhile South Canara region, now spread across the coastal districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi. Fondly associated with the traditional harvest festivities of the community, the feast brings together faith, family, thanksgiving, cultural heritage and communal harmony.
Father Muller Charitable Institutions (FMCI) celebrated the joyous occasion with great devotion and splendour. Rev. Fr. Faustine Lucas Lobo, Director of FMCI, blessed the new corn, marking the beginning of the traditional harvest thanksgiving. He was also the main celebrant of the festive Eucharistic celebration.
The celebration commenced with a solemn and colourful procession of the faithful from the entrance of the Father Muller College of Nursing to St Joseph Chapel. The procession featured the revered image of Infant Mary, affectionately known as Bambina, which was carried with great devotion. The faithful showered the image with a profusion of beautiful flowers, creating a spectacular and spiritually moving sight as reverence blended harmoniously with colour and tradition.
Rev. Dr. Michael Santhumayor, Administrator of Father Muller Medical College (FMMC), delivered the homily. His sermon reflected on three significant themes that resonated with the spirit of the feast—the Blessed Virgin Mary as our Eternal Mother, the importance of harmony and unity within families, and the need to recognise, protect and empower the girl child.
The reflection offered a meaningful connection between faith, family values and society’s responsibility to nurture and safeguard every girl child.
Rev. Fr. George Jeevan Sequeira, Administrator of Father Muller Medical College Hospital (FMMCH), and Rev. Fr. William D’Souza, Assistant Administrator of FMMCH, concelebrated the festive Eucharistic celebration along with the main celebrant.
Following the Holy Mass, the blessed new corn was distributed among the faithful, symbolising new growth, thanksgiving, prosperity and fresh beginnings. In keeping with the cherished traditions of the feast, the faithful were encouraged to share the blessings first with their families and loved ones, reinforcing the values of togetherness and gratitude.
The celebration concluded on a sweet and joyous note with the distribution of festive treats among all those gathered.
The celebration of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary at FMCI was thus a beautiful expression of faith and tradition, bringing together the institution, families, and the faithful in prayer, thanksgiving, and fellowship, while renewing the enduring message of love, unity, harmony, and hope embodied by Mother Mary.