Faith and Tradition Mark the Feast of the Nativity of Mary at Omzoor

The Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary was celebrated with great devotion and joy at Holy Family Church, Omzoor, on September 8, 2026. The celebration brought together the parish clergy, children and parishioners in a spirit of faith, gratitude and family unity.
The celebration commenced in the church grounds with a prayer service, followed by the blessing of the newly harvested paddy by Rev. Fr. William Menezes, Parish Priest of Holy Family Church. Children and parishioners then offered flowers to the statue of Infant Mary as an expression of love and devotion. The statue was subsequently taken in a procession around the church premises, accompanied by the faithful in prayer and hymns.

The festal Holy Mass was celebrated by Rev. Fr. Ivan D’Souza, Professor at St. Joseph’s Seminary, Jeppu, as the Main Celebrant, with Rev. Fr. William Menezes, Parish Priest, as the Concelebrant.

In his homily, Rev. Fr. Ivan D’Souza reflected on the different kinds of families found in society and highlighted the vital role of the family in shaping individuals and communities. He spoke particularly about the importance of mothers and the selfless sacrifices they make for the well-being and happiness of their families. He encouraged the faithful to look to Mother Mary as a model of faith, humility, obedience and love, and to follow her example in their daily lives.

At the conclusion of the Holy Mass, the newly harvested paddy were distributed among the faithful as a cherished symbol of God’s blessings, gratitude for the harvest and the rich traditions of the Nativity feast.

The celebration of the Nativity of Mary at Holy Family Church, Omzoor, thus became a beautiful blend of faith, devotion, family values and cultural tradition, bringing the parish community together to honour the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary and seek her maternal intercession.