Holy Cross Church, Bellare Celebrates Family Feast – Monthi Fest
Bellare, September 8, 2025: Holy Cross Church, Bellare was filled with joy and devotion as the parishioners celebrated the Monthi Fest, the family feast, on Monday. The celebration began with the solemn Mass at 8:30 a.m., during which the blessing and distribution of new corn took place.
The Eucharistic celebration was led by Fr Dr Antony Prakash Monteiro as the main celebrant. In his homily, he highlighted the values of prayer, gratitude, and community, saying:
“It is with immense joy that we gather today to celebrate the Monthi Feast, a beautiful tradition that honours the birth of our Blessed Mother, Mary. As we look out upon the fields that have yielded their harvest, we are reminded of the earth’s generosity and the promise of new life. This harvest, this new corn, is a symbol of prosperity, and it is a gift from God that sustains our lives. Let us learn from the example of Mother Mary. Let us treat every woman with the dignity and respect she deserves as the day is celebrated symbolic of womanhood and prayers of girls. Let us ensure that our families are places of love, where faith is cherished and where we come together, especially today, to share the new rice, symbolizing the unity and prosperity that our faith in Christ and our love for one another can bring. This family feast is a testimony to our strength, our unity, and our faith.”
Following the Mass, Mr Benher Mevada, a resident of Goa, sponsored refreshments for all the parishioners. For several years, he has generously borne the entire cost of the feast as an act of gratitude for the blessings he has received through the intercession of Mother Mary. The gurkaars, secretary, and parishioners were present in large numbers to partake in the joyous celebration.
Tradition of Monthi Fest
Monthi Fest is one of the most cherished celebrations in the Konkani Catholic community, blending faith and harvest traditions. The central ritual is the blessing of newly harvested paddy and corn, which is then distributed among families. The blessed grain is often used in preparing Novem, a traditional milk-based sweet dish that symbolizes sharing in the blessings of the harvest.
The preparations for the feast begin nine days earlier with the novena and flower offering (flower shower) to Infant Mary. Children and families bring flowers in devotion, creating an atmosphere of prayer and festivity both in churches and homes.
Churches and houses are decorated with flowers, banana stalks, and sugarcane, adding to the traditional vibrancy of the occasion. On the day of the feast, a beautifully decorated statue of Mother Mary, adorned with flowers and fresh crops, is carried in a special procession. This procession, followed by the blessing during Mass, unites the thanksgiving for the harvest with devotion to Mother Mary.
