Much like Farangipet in Canara, Vailankanni in Chennai, and Mount Mary’s in Bandra, Goa also celebrates the Mount Mary Feast with great fervour. The Feast of Our Lady of the Mount, also known as Mount Mary Feast, will be celebrated worldwide on September 8th by people of various faiths. This day marks the Nativity or birth of Mother Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ.
Celebrations in Goa
In Goa, all Roman Catholic churches commemorate this special day with a nine-day novena leading up to the feast. During this period, special prayers are offered to the Blessed Virgin Mary, with prayer requests made for the entire family. It is believed that Mother Mary intercedes on behalf of her devotees to Jesus.
Fulanchem Fest: The Feast of Flowers
This feast is also called ‘Fulanchem Fest’ or the feast of flowers, as children offer flowers to the statue of Our Lady, or the Blessed Virgin Mary. The statue is placed in front of the altar on a table, and children bring flowers gathered from their surroundings, offering them in a procession at Her feet. It is a beautiful sight to behold.
Celebrating Mother’s Day
Since September 8th is considered the birthday of Jesus’s mother, Mary, Catholics worldwide also celebrate it as Mother’s Day.
Dedicated Churches in Goa
A few churches in Goa are solely dedicated to Our Lady of the Mount. One such church is located in Old Goa, known as ‘Monte Chapel’ or Our Lady of the Mount Chapel. ‘Monte’ means hillock, and this chapel is situated near St. Cajetan’s Chapel, offering a picturesque view of the River Mandovi and the islands of Chorao and Divar.
Another church dedicated to Our Lady of the Mount is in Chinchinim, South Goa. Devotees from all faiths come to venerate the statue of Our Lady on this day.
Celebrations Beyond Goa
Mount Mary Church in Bandra, Mumbai
The Mount Mary Feast is notably celebrated at Mount Mary Church in Bandra, Mumbai. This church is a pilgrimage site where thousands of devotees arrive on foot days before the feast. Camping on-site to participate in the nine-day novena. A large fair is set up along the road leading to the church, located on a hillock. Unique to this celebration are the wax offerings that replicate body parts or figures, corresponding to specific prayer requests. People offer wax cradles when praying for a child and wax houses when seeking a home.
Monte Mariano Church in Canara, Karnataka
In Canara, Karnataka, the Monte Mariano Church, situated on Monte Mariano or Mount of Mary. Also celebrates the ‘Monthi Fest’ with great enthusiasm. Families cook fresh paddy in milk and share it, while Canara Catholics observe a vegetarian diet during the novenas and on the feast day.
Our Lady of Vailankanni in Tamil Nadu
Another famous church dedicated to Our Lady of the Mount is ‘Our Lady of Vailankanni’ in Tamil Nadu. This church is a renowned pilgrimage site for devotees from around the world, especially during the Novenas and the feast day.
As these diverse celebrations show, the Feast of Our Lady of the Mount is a deeply significant and unifying event. For the Catholic community and beyond, bringing together people of different faiths in reverence and joy.
