Chicago, September 10, 2024:

The Mangalorean Konkan Christian Association (MKCA) marked its 22nd annual Monti Fest celebration with great fervor at St. Hubert’s Church Hall in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. Monti Fest, a tradition unique to the Mangalorean community, is a significant cultural and religious event that parallels Thanksgiving in the USA. In India, similar festivals like Onam in Kerala, Pongal in Tamil Nadu, and Nag Panchami are celebrated across various states. For Mangaloreans, Monti Fest is dedicated to the birth of the Virgin Mary and serves as an opportunity to give thanks to Mother Mary for gifting the world with Jesus Christ and blessing the community with a new harvest.

As part of the celebration, the freshly harvested crops were blessed and distributed to the devotees, who then took them home to share in a family gathering, symbolizing the spirit of gratitude and unity around the new crop season and the feast of Mother Mary.

The day began with a Holy Eucharist, which was attended by MKCA members and guests. The readings at the Mass were delivered by MKCA members, setting a reverent tone for the occasion.

Following the Mass, the festivities continued with a cultural program initiated by MKCA President Leonard Lobo, who warmly welcomed the attendees and introduced his Executive Committee. In his address, Leonard acknowledged the significant contributions of the committee members in organizing the event and briefly recounted the history of MKCA, highlighting the pioneering efforts of Dr. Austin Prabhu, the founder and past President of MKCA, who was instrumental in establishing the Association alongside other founding members. He also provided insights into how Monti Fest is traditionally celebrated in India, reinforcing the cultural significance of the event.

The cultural segment was hosted by Savio Pais, the current Secretary of MKCA, who led the audience through an exciting lineup of games for both children and adults. Savio expressed gratitude to the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Tom Abraham, for graciously offering the venue for the celebration and thanked the organizing committee for their tireless efforts in ensuring the event's success.

The highlight of the evening was the authentic Mangalorean ethnic feast, prepared by MKCA members and their families. Fr. Tom Abraham blessed the food, which was followed by a delicious dinner that brought the community together to enjoy traditional dishes, a hallmark of Monti Fest celebrations.

The event concluded on a high note with music and dancing. Under the lively DJing of Queenie Mendonca, the guests danced to a mix of Konkani, Hindi, and Spanish songs, making it a night to remember for all attendees.