Culture of Mangalorean Catholics - Traditions and Festivals

Traditions and Festivals

Roman Catholic traditions include the Sakrament (Seven Sacraments) and include Povitr-Snan (Baptism), Thiravnni (Confirmation), Krist-Prasad (Eucharist), Prachit (Penance), Piddestanchi Makhnni (Anointing of the Sick), Iazokanchi Sonskornni (Holy Orders) and Logn (Matrimony).

Mangalorean Catholics have retained many Indian customs and traditions and reveal their existence especially during the celebration of a marriage. Their culture is more traditional and Indian. Though the Portuguese traded quite frequently in Mangalore, and most of the priests arriving in the region were Portuguese, there did not develop a community identified with Portugal and Portuguese culture. They have no uniform rituals since they belong to both the patrilineal Brahmin stock and to the matrilineal non-Brahmin stock. It were mainly these Pagan marriage rites which the Portuguese during the Goan Inquisition found objectionable and prohibited it in a Manual of Rules and Regulations of the Holy Office of the Inquisition in the Kingdoms of Portugal, published in 1640 by Bishop D. Franciscode Castro.

Ros (anointing) ceremony, conducted one or two days before a wedding, celebrates the last day of virginity of the bride and bridegroom and involves the parents' blessing of the bride and groom, who are anointed with ros, a mixture of coconut milk and coconut oil, while a cross is inscribed on the bride's forehead. Later, it is followed by the Resper (Nuptial Blessing in Church) and finally the Vordik (wedding) and Voran (wedding party). Other traditions include Soirik or Sairikecho Malo (betrothal), Voulik (wedding invitation) and exchange of Paan Pod or Bido (betel leaves) during marriage ceremonies, which was called badalchen (changing hands). Indian traditions include adorning the bride with the Sado (wedding sari) and Pirduk (wedding necklace), the wearing of which indicates her Ayaponn (destiny), the Onpnni or Opsun divnchen (giving away the bride formally by the father or the guardian of the bride), Porthoponn (re-invitation to the bride's house), and singing of Honvious (hymns). Some other traditions include Novemjeevon (partaking of the food prepared from new corn) and Novem (blessing of new harvests).

In addition to common Christian festivals like Christmas, Good Friday, and Easter, the community celebrates many other festivals of religious and historical significance. Monti Fest is one of the major festivals, celebrated on 8 September. It combines the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary and blessing of Novem (new crops). The festival derives its name from the Monte Mariano Church at Farangipet in South Canara, and was initiated by Joachim Miranda, a Goan Catholic priest at Farangipet in 1763. Though Tipu Sultan destroyed the churches of Canara, he spared Monte Mariano Church in deference to the friendship of his father Hyder Ali with Father Miranda. Attur Jatre or Attur Fest (Attur festival) is the feast of St. Lawrence, celebrated in the St. Lawrence Shrine on the outskirts of Karkala in South Canara. This shrine, in existence since 1759, is said to have a history of miracles. Eucharistic Procession (Evkaristik Purshanv in Konkani) is an annual religious procession led by the Bishop of Mangalore from Milagres Church to Rosario Cathedral. The procession, held on the first Sunday of the New Year of the Gregorian calendar, seeks blessings for the new year.