Udupi, August 30: As a preparation for the Monthi Fest (Birth day of Virgin Mary-Tene Habba) all over the district, the 9 days Novena mass commenced fromSaturday.
The children as well as the elders collected flowers form their yards, participated in the mass at the church and offered the flowers to Virgin Mary with devotion and joy.
The Christian Community residing over the coastal area celebrates the Birthday of Virgin Mary as an icon of the arrival of new crop on September 8th with the entire family. On that day, the new harvests grown in their fields are offered to the lord and prepare dishes using the new rice.
Prior to the preparation of Virgin Mary’s feast, novena prayers are being carried out in all the Churches along with the special preparation for the feast. On the day of feast, the community prepares purely vegetarian food and will be shared and enjoyed with the family as well as their neighbors.
A drive was given to the Novena prayers on Saturday, by the Christian students of St Mary’s English Medium school in Kannarpadi at Udupi by offering flowers to the statue of Virgin Mary in the school premises. Usually in this ritual, the children participate in the mass at the church and offer flowers but since few years the Novena prayers are offered in this school which is a specialty.
The Novena prayers have been carried out under the leadership of the holy priest Fredrick Mascharenhas of Shoka Matha Church in Udupi and the Director of School and the Head Mistress Mertal Louis.
