Media Release

Abu Dhabi, Sep 10: St Joseph’s Konkani Community (SJKC) Abudhabi celebrated Monthi Fest on September 10, under the guidance of spiritual director Fr Derick D’Souza OFM Cap. The celebration was joyfully and prayerfully observed at  St Joseph"s Cathedral church.

The celebration was initiated with nine days’ novenas. The novenas included devotional hymns, Gospel readings, flower showering to Infant Mary by children and the Holy Eucharistic celebration. The novenas also included, spiritually nourishing talks by Fr Joy D’Souza from Bengaluru.

The festal celebration was held on September 10. A large group of children across all ages offered flowers to Mother Mary in the church quadrangle and a sizeable gathering of about 1,500 Konkani Christians participated in the Solemn High Eucharistic celebration.

The main celebrant was Fr Alwyn Dias, provincial of Karnataka Capuchins. The Mass was concelebrated By Fr Darick D’Souza and Fr Joy. The service began with the traditional hymn ‘Sakkad Sangatha Melyan’ and flowers were showered to Infant Mother Mary with the singing of ‘Moriyek Hogollsiyan’.

The new Khanshi (rice corn), newly harvested blessed at the Mother Mary Grotto.

The Konkani choir led by Derral Dsouza and team was widely appreciated and applauded by the entire gathering. After the Mass, the children of 10th and 12th were honoured those who scored above 80% in their final examinations. Tokens of appreciation were also given to various individuals who provided stellar service to the Konkani community in 2021-22. The vote of thanks was rendered by president of SJKC Lancy D’Souza to the authorities and various supporters. After the high Mass, khanshi and noven jevan food packets were distributed to the gathering as they dispersed.

Monthi Fest was a memorable one for Konkani Catholic community at Abu Dhabi. The community beautifully and devotionally experienced one of Mangaluru’s most revered tradition.