Nativity Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary Celebrated with Devotion at Holy Cross Church, Cordel
Mangaluru: The Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary was celebrated with deep religious fervour, devotion and community spirit at Holy Cross Church, Cordel, on September 8. Rooted in the rich Konkani Catholic tradition, the annual observance drew a large gathering of parishioners, who united in prayer, thanksgiving and thanksgiving-filled festivity to honour Mother Mary.
The celebration began with the faithful assembling on the church premises, where gurkars, ward representatives, religious sisters, priests, children and families from various wards of the parish offered floral tributes to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The atmosphere was marked by reverence and joy as the community came together to express its devotion to the Mother of God.
A notable feature of the feast was the traditional blessing of the newly harvested paddy sheaves, a symbolic gesture of gratitude to God for the harvest and a prayer for continued blessings upon families and the parish community. The gurkars and religious leaders carried the sheaves to the church grounds, where they were blessed as part of the age-old observance that connects faith with the fruits of the earth and the labour of the people.
Children then offered flowers at the feet of Mother Mary, creating a serene and devotional scene. The congregation joined in singing “Sakkad Sangatha Melya,” a beloved traditional hymn that speaks of unity, fellowship, and shared faith. The hymn added warmth and solemn beauty to the celebration, reflecting the deep communal spirit that continues to define the feast.
The festive Eucharistic celebration was led by Resident Priest Fr. Denzil Lobo, along with Fr. Clifford Fernandes and Assistant Parish Priest Fr. Loyd. Their presence added solemnity to the occasion, as the faithful gathered to commemorate the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary in prayer and thanksgiving.
Celebrating Mass at 5.45 a.m., Fr. Clifford Fernandes delivered the homily, in which he reflected on the life and virtues of Mother Mary. He urged the faithful to see her as a model for Christian living.
“Mother Mary is a heroine, and we should walk in her footsteps. We may have devotion to her, but true devotion also means following her example and inculcating her virtues in our lives,” he said.
Speaking on the struggles faced by young people today, Fr. Clifford narrated the story of a youth trapped in bad habits who felt that no one was there to understand his inner pain. He said Mother Mary can be a source of comfort and strength for those who feel rejected, lonely, or burdened by life’s difficulties.
“When we consider Mother Mary our heroine, we should try to develop her good qualities in our lives. When we face problems, we should place everything in the hands of God and trust that He will show us the way,” he added.
He reminded the congregation that God has given human beings the ability to think, discern, and make right choices, and encouraged the faithful to use these gifts responsibly while remaining steadfast in faith during difficult times.
Fr. Clifford also stressed the importance of maintaining healthy relationships and caring for one another. Referring to Mother Mary’s visit to her relative Elizabeth, he highlighted her spirit of service, compassion and concern for others.
He urged parents to teach their children good values and encouraged families to practise kindness, sharing, compassion and respect. Speaking on human attitudes towards possessions, he described different categories of people—those who desire what belongs to others, those dissatisfied with what they have, and those willing to share what they possess.
Cautioning against greed and selfishness, he called upon the faithful to cultivate generosity and a spirit of sharing. “The celebration of the Nativity of Mother Mary should inspire us not merely to honour her, but to follow her example in our daily lives. We should learn to care for others, maintain good relationships, share with those in need and live according to the values she demonstrated,” he said.
In his reflection, Fr. Denzil Lobo underlined the spiritual significance of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, stating that the feast is not simply a traditional observance, but also an invitation for Christians to reflect on Mary’s virtues and incorporate them into daily life.
Extending greetings to the parishioners, Fr. Clifford Fernandes wished everyone a joyful and blessed Feast of the Nativity. He encouraged families to cherish their bonds, spend time together and preserve the cherished traditions associated with the celebration.
He also urged the faithful to come together for the traditional festive meal, noting that sharing food with family, relatives and neighbours strengthens the bonds of love, friendship and community.
The celebration concluded on a joyful note with the distribution of the newly harvested paddy sheaves and sugarcane among the parishioners. The distribution symbolised gratitude for God’s blessings, the abundance of the harvest and the enduring link between faith, family and the fruits of the earth.
Thus, the Nativity celebration at Holy Cross Church, Cordel, emerged as a graceful blend of devotion, tradition, family values and community fellowship, leaving the faithful with renewed inspiration to follow the example of Mother Mary and embody her virtues in their everyday lives.
