Fiji, a country in the South Pacific, is made up of more than 300 islands. Its major islands, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, contain most of the population

The Congregation of the Mission has been present there since 1959 when the first missionaries arrived from Australia. Today, it is a missionary region, belonging to the Province of Oceania and composed of 13 confreres among priests and students. They carry out a variety of ministries: parish pastoral work, education, chaplaincy in hospitals, accompaniment to the Daughters of Charity and some branches of the Vincentian Family, formation of our own, etc. It is important to say that the vast majority of missionaries and seminarians are native to this country.

On Thursday, February 13, 2020, Fr. Tomaž Mavrič, C.M., Superior General, began his visit to the mission in the Fiji Islands. Fr. Greg Brett, C.M., Visitor of Oceania, accompanied him. Fiji is another part of the Superior’s General visit to the Province of Oceania. Two Australian Vincentians came to Fiji in May 1959. A few years later another one, Fr. Alan Finn, C.M, came and remained. Fr. Alan is still here and despite his age, he is active in ministry. Last year, he celebrated the 60^th anniversary of his priesthood.

At first, Fr. Tomaž came to Wailoku Hills, a village on the outskirts of Suva, the capital city of Fiji. The Vincentian House of Formation is located there and Fr. Yosewa Naqou, C.M., a native of Fiji, who is responsible for the vocational ministry in the region, welcomed the honored guests. In the afternoon, the Superior General celebrated the Eucharist in the house chapel which was followed by a reception. A traditional ceremony of Kava was the highlight of the reception. Kava is a drink originally served in houses of a king and/or royalty. Over the course of time, it became a drink that was offered to welcome true guests. Kava is known as the pepper tree. Its roots are stirred in hot water … it looks like muddy water and has a bitter taste.

On Saturday, February 15 Fr. Tomaž was taken to visit Natovi, a town on the eastern coast of the island, (about 65 km north of Suva). The members of the Congregation administer the Catholic Mission which is composed of St. John the Apostle parish and St. Vincent de Paul School. Fr. Filimoni Vosabalavu, C.M. is the pastor. In 2016, cyclone Winston seriously devastated the mission’s buildings, especially the roofs of the church and the school.

Parishioners and school children welcomed the Superior General very warmly in a traditional ceremony. They brought him gifts: Tabua – whale’s tooth, Kava and some mats. These are very valuable gifts in the Fijian culture and a sign of respect and honor.  After the ceremony, he met the students and Fr. Filimoni guided him around the compound. In addition, students prepared a performance for their special guest … a manifestation of their respect, joy, talents and gifts.

At the end Fr. Tomaž thanked the parishioners, students and people of Natovi for their continuous commitment to share the love of God and for being a part of the Vincentian Family serving Christ in the person of the poor. When expressing his gratitude the Superior General said: “I cannot say anything more or anything less than to say thank you … thank you from the bottom of my heart for the richness of your cultures and the warm welcome. I am deeply touched by the gesture you have shown me, by the effort and the preparation that went into the planning of this day”.

On Sunday morning, February 16, the 6^th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Superior General visited St. Angela Local Christian Community, the Naulu Sector of St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Nausori. Accompanied by the pastor, Fr. Vincent Manehoua, C.M., the main celebrant, and Fr. Joe Tuimavule, C.M., the regional superior of the Fiji mission, Fr. Tomaž concelebrated the Eucharist at St. Joseph the Worker primary school hall. The visit coincided with the closing of the Education Week under the theme “My School is Catholic”.  It was a lively and joyous liturgical celebration. Children of the St. Joseph Primary School choir gifted the celebration with their beautiful singing, thus making the liturgy more lively and more prayerful.