On Saturday, 12 September 2026, Karaval Konkans Australia Inc. staged its second Kutmachen Fest – Monthi Fest at St Louis de Montfort's School Hall in Aspendale, Victoria, drawing Konkani families from across the continent.
Commissioner Sylvia Coombe of the Victorian Multicultural Commission arrived as chief guest, underscoring the event's cultural and religious significance for the diaspora in Australia.
Weeks before the celebration, a nine‑day Novena honoring Infant Mary – Balok Mori unfolded. Participants from Brisbane, Perth, Melbourne, Newcastle, Adelaide, Launceston, Hobart, Sydney and Canberra joined prayers in person and via livestream, while children offered fresh flowers to the infant Mary statue, a tradition that links generations.
The outdoor opening featured the veneration of Balok Mori and the blessing of the Novem, the first harvest of a new grain. Organisers thanked Lester Goveas and his Perth family for providing the harvest, which later mixed into Vorn (payasam) for communal sharing.
A brass band led a lively procession inside the hall, carrying the adorned Balok Mori statue beneath a damaskachi sathri, a ceremonial umbrella. The spiritual core of the day was the Holy Mass celebrated by Rev. Fr Jacob Alvares, spiritual director of the organisation. His homily traced the festival's origins and highlighted the role of mothers in preserving Konkani heritage.
The choir, directed by Sandria Rodrigues and comprising more than thirty singers, enriched the liturgy, prompting enthusiastic participation. After Mass, the brass band returned, snacks were served, and elders exchanged memories with younger attendees, reinforcing the community bond.
Volunteers, host families, prayer leaders, singers, musicians and the livestream crew received heartfelt thanks for enabling a coast‑to‑coast celebration that blended faith, culture and harvest gratitude.
Image: mangalorean.com
📰 Source: Mangalorean Gulf