A Milestone in Mission

70 Years Since the Foundation of the Lami Community

The Sisters and friends gathered on Saturday 8 November, to mark the 70th Anniversary of the Marist Sisters’ foundation in Lami. The celebration began with Mass at 7 a.m., followed by a joyful breakfast in the convent, as all gave thanks for 70 years of faith, service, and community.

In the early 1950s, there was a growing recognition of the need to extend education beyond Europeans and Indians to also include Fijians.

In 1953, Bishop Foley wrote to Mother Gerard, the Marist Sisters’ Regional Superior of Oceania, requesting qualified teaching staff to establish a secondary school for girls at Loreto, Ovalau. At that time, secondary education for boys had already been established by the Marist Fathers — first at Namosau, and later at Cawaci.

Bishop Foley also proposed that the Sisters be given the opportunity to establish a new community and a primary school in Lami, to serve the children of the newly formed parish.

The request was approved in Rome, and Sr. Felician was appointed to oversee the work at Loreto, while Sr. Claudia was entrusted with the mission in Lami.

In 1955, the first Marist Sisters’ community in Lami was founded, with Sr. Regina as superior, assisted by Sr. Rosina and Sr. Bernadette Balgowan.

Seventy years later, the community continues to flourish in faith and service. The celebration last Saturday was a fitting tribute to the vision, courage, and dedication of those who began this mission in 1955.