Novenas in the Honour of Blessed Virgin Mary's Nativity
A feast that is connoted to be a feast celebrating the togetherness of a family is the NATIVITY OF BLESSED VIRGIN MARY. The churches in Mangalore prepare for this blessed day by offering flowers and reciting novenas to Mother Mary for almost 10 days prior to September 8th. It is the children who especially come to offer flowers. At Most Holy Redeemer Church ,Derebail the novenas began on the 30th of August where a lot of children and quite a few adults came with their share of flowers to offer to Mother Mary.
Eucharistic Celebration usually begins at 5.30.P.M. followed by the novena and strewing of flowers. After the strewing of flowers children are given sweets. On the 8th of September children walk in a grand procession strewing flowers all the way till the church and collect their share of Sugarcane after the Eucharistic Celebration.
This Blessed day indeed holds a lot of significance and meaning to all Catholics. It is the day when the Mother of our Saviour was born and also the only day in the year where the old tradition of relishing a vegetarian meal on a banana leaf is revived. This day is anticipated not just by the little children but by all the members of the family.
Report by: Lynsha Lobo
Pictures:Prajwal Sequeira And Sheldon Alvares
In pictures
