“With the sun slowly setting on Monday 14th December in the Kingdom of Tonga, thousands of die-hard Catholics filled the Kingdom’s Cathedral for a much anticipated event, the ordination to priesthood of their two sons: Tevita Nuku Lefai of the Congregation of the Salesians of Don Bosco and Epokifo’ou Oukusitino of the Society of Mary.
During his homily, Cardinal Mafi spoke highly of the contribution made by different congregations to the Diocese and the people of Tonga. He said that the religious communities bring multi-essential and different charisms which help in the development of Tonga socially, economically and spiritually. Therefore, the ordination of the new priests is the symbol of God’s blessing for the Diocese. The Cardinal challenged the new priests that, as this year is the jubilee year of mercy, they are to experience God’s mercy in their lives, be transformed by it, and then become God’s mercy for God’s people.
The celebration was summed up with a super abundant feast; enough food to feed the whole town.
On the day of Fr Nuku’s First Mass, the crowd was no less than the ordination day. All the faithful of the St Anthony of Padua Parish and families and friends of Fr Nuku gathered to celebrate his First Mass. Nuku was awesomely confident as if he had done it many times before. After the Mass, there was another big feast with pigs as the real victims, since hundreds of them ended up on the tables. The happy and hungry people didn’t give them a chance to last long. It was a tremendously happy celebration for all.
At the end of the celebration Fr Provincial, Greg Chambers, offered the words of thanks on behalf of the Australia-Pacific province.” (Fr Taisali Leuluai)
“With the sun slowly setting on Monday 14th December in the Kingdom of Tonga, thousands of die-hard Catholics filled the Kingdom’s Cathedral for a much anticipated event, the ordination to priesthood of their two sons: Tevita Nuku Lefai of the Congregation of the Salesians of Don Bosco and Epokifo’ou Oukusitino of the Society of Mary.
During his homily, Cardinal Mafi spoke highly of the contribution made by different congregations to the Diocese and the people of Tonga. He said that the religious communities bring multi-essential and different charisms which help in the development of Tonga socially, economically and spiritually. Therefore, the ordination of the new priests is the symbol of God’s blessing for the Diocese. The Cardinal challenged the new priests that, as this year is the jubilee year of mercy, they are to experience God’s mercy in their lives, be transformed by it, and then become God’s mercy for God’s people.
The celebration was summed up with a super abundant feast; enough food to feed the whole town.
On the day of Fr Nuku’s First Mass, the crowd was no less than the ordination day. All the faithful of the St Anthony of Padua Parish and families and friends of Fr Nuku gathered to celebrate his First Mass. Nuku was awesomely confident as if he had done it many times before. After the Mass, there was another big feast with pigs as the real victims, since hundreds of them ended up on the tables. The happy and hungry people didn’t give them a chance to last long. It was a tremendously happy celebration for all.
At the end of the celebration Fr Provincial, Greg Chambers, offered the words of thanks on behalf of the Australia-Pacific province.” (Fr Taisali Leuluai)