Mangalorean Community Celebrates Monthi Festh in Luxembourg
Luxembourg: The Mangalorean Christian community in Luxembourg celebrated Monthi Festh on Saturday, bringing a cherished tradition from coastal Karnataka to the heart of Europe.
Around 45 people, including Mangalorean families and friends from other Indian communities, participated in the celebration, which blended the religious traditions associated with the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary with Mangalorean culture, cuisine and fellowship.
The celebrations began on the lawns of the Garden Chapel of St Alphonse in Luxembourg City, where children and families gathered for the traditional showering of flowers in honour of Mother Mary. This was followed by a bilingual Holy Mass in Konkani and English, celebrated by Fr Lizel Joy D’Souza and Fr Trishan D’Souza, priests of the Diocese of Mangalore currently pursuing their studies in Rome.
Following the Mass, the community felicitated the visiting priests in appreciation of their presence at the Monthi Festh celebrations.
In his address, Fr Lizel reflected on the significance of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, describing Mary’s birth as the “dawn of our salvation” that heralded the coming of Jesus Christ. He also spoke about the history of the Maria Bambina devotion and its journey to Mangalore, recalling how the tradition became intertwined with Monthi Festh, devotion to Our Lady of the Mount and the customary harvest meal that brings families and communities together.
The religious programme was followed by a community get-together featuring a quiz on Mother Mary, games and activities for participants of all age groups. The celebration concluded with a traditional vegetarian Mangalorean potluck lunch, with dishes prepared and brought by community members.
Speaking on the occasion, Patrick D’Souza, lead organiser of the celebration, said the gathering provided an opportunity to strengthen bonds within a growing community far from its place of origin.
“Luxembourg has become our home away from home. Our Mangalorean community here may still be small, but it has grown steadily over the past few years. Monthi Festh has deep religious and cultural significance for us, and with the support of our community members, we wanted to create an occasion that brings everyone together. It is about celebrating our faith and traditions, but equally about creating a sense of belonging and togetherness in the country we now call home,” he said.
Vivek Cornelio, one of the organisers, highlighted how celebrating traditions from home can also foster connections with the multicultural society in which the community now lives.
“For us, preserving our culture does not mean celebrating it in isolation. It is about bringing a small piece of Mangalore with us and allowing it to become part of the diverse cultural fabric of Luxembourg. We have been warmly welcomed here, and celebrations such as Monthi Festh give us an opportunity to share where we come from while building friendships and a stronger sense of community where we live today,” he said.
Monthi Festh, traditionally celebrated by Mangalorean Catholics in September, marks the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary and is closely associated with thanksgiving for the harvest, family and community. The celebration continues to hold an important place in the religious and cultural life of Mangalorean communities around the world.
For the community in Luxembourg, the gathering also offered families and friends from different parts of India an opportunity to experience Mangalorean traditions and celebrate the bonds of faith, culture and community.
The day concluded with fellowship over a home-cooked meal, bringing to a close a celebration that carried a familiar piece of Mangalore into Luxembourg’s multicultural setting.