Monti Fest 2016 in Jaffa

Monti Fest is a major festival for the Catholics from the region of Mangalore Karnataka in India. This festival celebrates the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary and blessing of Novem (new crops) on September 8 each year. It is a time to celebrate the harvest with the family and thank God for the fruits of the crops. This festival derives its name from the Monte Mariano Church at Farangipet in South Canara, Karnataka, India.

More than 2000 Indian Catholic migrants and pilgrims joined in a procession from Saint Peter’s Church to Saint Anthony’s Church in Jaffa. The Blessed Virgin Mary is the protector and patroness of the Indian Chaplaincy in the Holy Land, and many of the Indian migrant workers have a special devotion to her.

The solemn procession was headed by Rev. Fr. Evan Gomes SVD, accompanied by Fathers Jose Kumar SCJ, Lional OFM, and Sony Manjaly. At the conclusion of the procession, a solemn festive mass in the Konkani language was celebrated at the Terra Sancta School ground with the blessing of newly harvested grains and special prayers for peace in the Middle East and for the suffering Christians in Iraq and Syria.

Smaller celebrations were also held in Jerusalem and Haifa.