Report on the Celebration of St. Monica’s Feast Day
The feast of St. Monica was celebrated with great devotion and joy in all the parishes of Allahabad Diocese. The women gathered together for the Holy Eucharist, with eagerness, offering prayers and thanksgiving for the life and witness of St. Monica.
The program began with Adoration. This was followed by the entrance hymn, with all mothers entering the church in a procession. All mothers were welcomed with a tilak and a rose. They then offered flowers to the picture of St. Monica.
Special introduction, special prayers, highlighted St. Monica's deep faith, perseverance in prayer, patience, and loving concern for her family. Through her constant prayers and trust in God, St. Monica became an inspiring example of a mother who never gave up hope.
After the Mass, a touching video for mothers was shown by the Fathers. Most of the parishes had their own way of celebration. Some parishes shared their joy and concern with the under privileged visiting the blind children and spending time with them and giving the gift to them. Some parishes celebrated giving the breakfast to the street children and the beggars. Some of them exchanged the gift to one another. The feast encouraged everyone, especially mothers and families, to remain faithful in prayer and to place their hopes and concerns in God’s hands.
The celebration concluded with gratitude to God for the example of St. Monica and a renewed commitment to live with faith, patience, and love in our families and communities. The celebration concluded with a special blessing for all mothers, distribution of gifts, and a vote of thanks by Church Women's Association President.