Konkani Catholics in Holy Land celebrate Monti Fest

The Sept. 8 feast falls this year on a Monday.

Jerusalem:  The Indian Chaplaincy in Holy Land that serves Indian emigrants are busy preparing for the feast of Nativity of Blessed Mother, called the ‘Monti Fest’ among Konkani speaking Catholics.

“A grandiose celebration is being organized in Holy Land with traditional gaiety and religious fervor,” said Franciscan Father Tojy Jose, head of the Indian Chaplaincy told Catholic News agency Sept. 2.

In Goa and among most Konkani speaking Catholics, the feast of Mary's Nativity is an major family celebration, serving as a thanksgiving festival blessing the harvest of new crops, observed with a festive lunch centered on the blessed grain of the harvest.

The feast is expected to draw more than 2,500 Konkani-speaking migrant workers from Jaffa, Tel Aviv, and Jerusalem, as well as pilgrims from around the world to Holy Land.

The Marian feast binds the migrant community and “as they continue to celebrate it in whatever way they can, they enjoy the nostalgia of connecting with their own families and parishes back home," the chaplain said.

The Sept. 8 feast falls this year on a Monday, a working day for the migrant laborers in Israel, it will be observed locally on the Saturday within its octave, Sept. 13, so that more Indians can participate.

A novena leading up to the observance of the feast begins Sept. 4, with themes chosen to help the people deepen their understanding of Mary's role in redemption, and her virtues to be imitated.

Patriarch Fouad Twal of Jerusalem will lead a procession, which will conclude with a Mass said in Konkani by Fr. Santhosh Rodrigues, director of the Center for Family Apostolate in the Mangalore diocese.

Source: Catholic World Report