The Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, celebrated as "Monthi Festh," was a joyous occasion for the Mangalorean community at St. Antony’s Friary Church. This festival, which symbolizes newness in life through the harvest of new paddy, saw gathering of parishioners who came together to honor Mother Mary on this significant day.

The celebrations commenced with a nine-day novena dedicated to the Blessed Mother, held from August 30 to September 7. Each evening, after the 6 PM Mass, the community gathered at the Grotto, where children showered flowers on the statue of Mother Mary, enhancing the festive atmosphere. Sweets were distributed to the children after each novena, with families sponsoring the treats, and the Bangalore Konkan Catholic Sangh (BKCS) generously sponsoring one day.

On the feast day, the newly harvested paddy was brought to Mother Mary’s Grotto before the 11 AM Mass. This year, the paddy was meticulously cleaned and prepared for the celebration by BKCS volunteers who sourced it directly from Mangalore. Rev. Fr. Santhosh Rodrigues blessed the paddy, which was then carried in a vibrant procession led by Fr. Arog OFM, Fr. Santhosh, Fr. Ephraim Dias, Fr. Alphonse OFM, and dedicated volunteers to the altar of the church.

The Eucharistic celebration was conducted in Konkani by Rev. Fr. Santhosh Rodrigues, who was joined by three other priests: Rev. Fr. Arog OFM, Rev. Fr. Ephraim Dias, and Rev. Fr. Alphonse Moras. Mrs. Philomina D’Souza provided an introduction to the festivities, setting the tone for a deeply spiritual experience.

In his homily, Fr. Santhosh emphasized the importance of family love and bonding, outlining four key qualities essential for a happy family: eating, praying, working, and relaxing together. He highlighted that family prayer fosters unity and teaches values such as love, forgiveness, and generosity, laying the foundation for faith within the larger Church community. The celebration featured the "Preran" Konkani choir group, whose melodious hymns enriched the Eucharistic experience and encouraged active participation from the congregation.

Rev. Fr. Arog OFM, the Assistant Parish Priest, conveyed festive greetings on behalf of the parish team, expressing gratitude to sponsors and the congregation for their support in celebrating this special feast. As a token of appreciation, Rev. Fr. Santhosh presented candles to the sponsors.

Following the Mass, Mrs. Aida D’Cunha, President of the Bangalore Konkan Catholic Sangh (BKCS), shared insights with the congregation about the organization's mission and ongoing activities. To enhance the festive atmosphere, volunteers distributed delicious laddu and blessed corn to all attendees, contributing to the celebration.

The parishioners of St. Antony’s Friary expressed their sincere gratitude to the Friary team, led by Rev. Fr. Arog OFM, for orchestrating such a memorable Monthi Festh celebration. The absence of their beloved Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Prashanth OFM, was profoundly felt on this special occasion.

As the day came to a close, the community gathered in prayer, collectively seeking the blessings and intercession of Mother Mary through her son, Jesus Christ.