Mangalorean Community Celebrates Monthi Festh in Luxembourg

Luxembourg, September 22, 2026: A cherished Mangalorean tradition found a home in Luxembourg as around 45 members of the Mangalorean Christian community, along with friends from other Indian communities, gathered on September 19 to celebrate Monthi Festh, bringing together faith, culture and fellowship.

The celebration centred on the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary and reflected the religious and cultural traditions associated with Monthi Festh. Children and families took part in the traditional showering of flowers in honour of Mother Mary, followed by a bilingual Holy Mass in Konkani and English celebrated by Fr. Lizel Joy D'Souza and Fr. Trishan D'Souza, priests of the diocese of Mangalore currently pursuing their studies in Rome.

The visiting priests were felicitated by the community as a gesture of appreciation for joining the celebrations.

In his address, Fr. Lizel reflected on the significance of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, describing Mary's birth as the ‘dawn of our salvation’ that heralded the coming of Jesus Christ. He also spoke about the history of the Maria Bambina devotion and its journey to Mangalore, recalling how the tradition became intertwined with Monthi Festh, devotion to Our Lady of the Mount and the customary harvest meal that brings families and communities together.

The religious celebration was followed by a community gathering featuring a quiz on Mother Mary, games and activities for participants of different age groups. Members of the community also shared a traditional vegetarian Mangalorean potluck lunch, with dishes prepared and brought by the participants.

Patrick D'Souza, lead organiser of the celebration, said the gathering was an opportunity to strengthen bonds within a growing community far from its place of origin.

“Luxembourg has become our home away from home. Our Mangalorean community here may still be small, but it has grown steadily over the past few years. Monthi Festh has deep religious and cultural significance for us, and with the support of our community members, we wanted to create an occasion that brings everyone together. It is about celebrating our faith and traditions, but equally about creating a sense of belonging and togetherness in the country we now call home,” he said.

Vivek Cornelio, one of the organisers, highlighted how celebrating traditions from home can also become a way of connecting with the multicultural society in which the community now lives.

“For us, preserving our culture does not mean celebrating it in isolation. It is about bringing a small piece of Mangalore with us and allowing it to become part of the diverse cultural fabric of Luxembourg. We have been warmly welcomed here, and celebrations such as Monthi Festh give us an opportunity to share where we come from while building friendships and a stronger sense of community where we live today,” he said.

Monthi Festh, traditionally celebrated by Mangalorean Catholics in September, marks the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary and is closely associated with thanksgiving for the harvest, family and community. The celebration continues to hold an important place in the religious and cultural life of Mangalorean communities around the world.

For the Mangalorean community in Luxembourg, the celebration provided an opportunity for families and friends from different parts of India to experience Mangalorean traditions while sharing a celebration rooted in faith, culture and community.

The gathering carried a familiar piece of Mangalore into Luxembourg, strengthening bonds among community members while creating space to share their religious and cultural traditions within the multicultural setting in which they now live.

By Catholic Connect Reporter