Today at the St. Peter Chanel Seminary Chapel Br. Tavite Uluilakeba, ss.cc. professed his perpetual vows and Jeremiah Nestor (Nez) Marcelo ss.cc., Talilotu (Lotu) Ulupano, ss.cc., Kasimero (Kasi) Bule, ss.cc., John Vitolio, ss.cc. and Apisalome ( Pisa) Setefano Veitoyaki, ss.cc. made their temporary vows to the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary to Rev. Provincial Lane Akiona, ss.cc. Present were members for Br. Tavite’s family, Sisters of our Lady of Nazareth, Missionary Sisters of the Society of Mary, Archbishop Peter Loy Chong, priests of the archdiocese of Suva, formators Fr. Johnathan Hurrell, ss.cc. and Fr. Marisi Palepale, ss.cc, other SS.CC. priests: Fr. Maiki Kamauoha, Fr. Saia Fainga’a, and Fr. Lomano Tonga Fifita.
The congregation sang, Pacific-style, enthusiastically and robustly, pouring out their love and support.
The readings focused on love, living out the gospel. From St. Paul’s letter to the Galatians: “I live no longer to myself but Christ lives in me”. The gospel acclamation: “Love one another as I have loved you.” The gospel from St. Luke gives this command: “Love your God alone, and love your neighbor as yourself.”
Fr. Lane in his homily that these men would be continue the rich legacy entrusted originally to our Picpus order of being missionaries to the people in the Pacific. Fr. Lane said to focus on the words that will follow. Br. Tavite said he would dedicate himself to God and his kingdom. Fr. Lane instructed the brothers taking temporary vows to heed these words taken from the Rule of St. Benedict: “Prefer nothing but the love the Christ” and “generous lay down your lives” and “to contemplate, live and proclaim God’s love”.
Thanks be to God for the faith and generosity of these men, our brothers! May God bless them one hundred-fold for their self-offering to Christ and His kingdom!
View the Perpetual Vows and First Professions mass here.
