Monti Fest Highlights Faith, Family and Renewal of Creation, Says Bishop Leslie C. D’Souza
Udupi: Bishop of the Udupi Diocese, Most Rev. Leslie Clifford D’Souza, has called upon the Christian community to celebrate Monti Fest with gratitude, strengthen family bonds, uphold the dignity of the girl child and renew its commitment to protecting nature.
In his message on the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, celebrated on September 8, Bishop D’Souza said Monti Fest holds a special place in the cultural and religious traditions of the Christian community in coastal Karnataka.
The feast commemorates the birth of Mother Mary and conveys important messages of faith, family unity, respect for women and girls, gratitude for the new harvest, and responsibility towards creation.
Highlighting the life of Mother Mary, the Bishop said she was raised in a simple, devout family and became an example of faith, humility, purity, obedience, and complete surrender to God’s will. He stressed that every child should be regarded as a precious gift from God.
Bishop D’Souza also emphasised the dignity and rights of the girl child. Every girl deserves love, safety, quality education, equal opportunities and respect, he said, adding that protecting these rights is the responsibility of both families and society.
He noted that Monti Fest is also fundamentally a celebration of the family. Family prayer, seeking the blessings of elders, spending time with children and sharing meals are among the important traditions associated with the feast. At a time when the fast pace of modern life is affecting family relationships, Monti Fest serves as a reminder of the importance of togetherness, communication, and prayer.
“A family is not merely a group of people living under one roof; it is a living community bound together by love, respect, forgiveness, sacrifice, prayer and sharing,” the Bishop said.
Referring to the Holy Family as an example, he said that families built on faith in God, mutual love, sacrifice and service can become a source of strength for society, particularly when loneliness, generation gaps and strained relationships are increasingly evident.
Bishop D’Souza also highlighted the significance of the new harvest tradition associated with Monti Fest. Offering the first fruits of nature to God in thanksgiving and sharing them with family members symbolises gratitude, fraternity and harmonious coexistence, he said.
He further called upon the faithful to recognise their responsibility towards the environment. The earth, water, air, soil, plants and all forms of life are precious gifts entrusted to humanity and must be protected for future generations.
He urged people to plant trees, conserve water, protect soil fertility, reduce plastic, and adopt a lifestyle that respects and lives in harmony with nature.
Extending his greetings on the occasion of Monti Fest, Bishop D’Souza prayed that, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, peace, love and unity would prevail in every family; every girl child would be respected as a precious gift from God; and the fields and environment would flourish.
“May the Feast of the Nativity of Mary bring the light of hope to every home, the warmth of love to every family and a renewed commitment to protecting all of creation,” he said.
Bishop D’Souza extended his heartfelt greetings to everyone on the joyous occasion of Monti Fest.
