Mangaluru: September 8 is celebrated as the Nativity or birthday of Mother Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, all over the World. Mangaloreans across the globe also celebrate this day as the harvest feast or Monthi Fest. Members of a family come together and share a meal made of vegitables grown in and arround their neighbouhood. The chidren also offer flowers to Mother Mary as a sign of respect.
On this festive ocassion, the Mangaluru Bishop and Bishop-elect have given their message for the community.
Rev Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Bishop of Mangaluru
Rev Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Bishop of Mangalore Diocese conveyed his festival message on Friday September 7, and said that Mother Mary played an important role in the salvation history, therefore God created her free from original sin. “The birth of Mother Mary proclaims God’s love to the world. Her faith filled life is a model for all Christians. Celebrating her birthday as a new corn day or family feast is a great privilege for us. Therefore, let us honour Mary and accept her queenship in our families as we dine together. May the Blessed Virgin Mary intercede for us. I wish you a happy feast of Nativity,” he said.
Bishop Elect Msgr Peter Paul Saldanha
The Bishop-elect Msgr Peter Paul Saldanha, inhis message to the community said, “Mother Mary is the most beautiful and perfect among all of God’s creation. She is the mother of our Lord Jesus and the first love of the world. As the feast of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary is celebrated as the girl child day in the Church, let’s pray for the girls who are exploited and deprived of the right to live in the society and pledge to protect them. Let our family bonds be strengthened as we come together and share the meal of the new corn. I wish you all a happy feast of nativity.”
