TRADITIONS kept sacred by Mangalorean Catholics for 500 years have found a new home in a southside Brisbane parish.
The Monthi Fest, a harvest festival turned celebration of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, has been celebrated in the Mangalore region of India for nearly 500 years.
The tradition continues today, something Aspley parishioner Claude Gonsalves says is a beautiful celebration of Catholic culture.
“A highlight is always the children placing flowers around a statute of Mary,” Mr Gonsalves said
“As young lads we would all gather in a procession and offer flowers to Mary.
“So it is very nice to get the young members of the community to continue this, it is very special.”
Mr Gonsalves said instead of stopping their ancient traditions and celebrations upon becoming Catholic, the people of Mangalore transformed them to celebrate their new faith instead.
He said the celebrations captured the unique position of Mangalorean Catholics in Australia.
“As Australians we assimilate while also carrying on our traditions, letting our communities know this is where we come from,” he said.
The Monthi Fest has established itself as a cornerstone for the Mangalorean Catholic Association of Brisbane, and this year attracted hundreds of people for faith and fellowship.
Members of the community said Brisbane Archbishop Mark Coleridge articulated his Konkani well, a Mangalorean dialect.
Archbishop Coleridge shared his blessing with the phrase “Dev Borem Korum”, or “may God bless you”.
Monthi Fest sees the community participate in prayers, processions, the blessing of new crops, and communal meals.
The Mass also blended English and Konkani choirs, which members of the community said reminded them of home.
This year’s Monthi Fest was one of the largest Brisbane archdiocese had celebrated.
