Work has started on a book detailing the journey of the Marist Brothers and old pupils over the past 130 years in Samoa.

The book by Pastor Mika, which will be published in two volumes, is titled “Contribution of Marist Brothers” Old Pupils to Samoa and it highlights their contribution to the development of Samoa.

Pastor Mika said the idea behind the book was to have the history of the Marist family in Samoa detailed in a book and for future reference.  

“According to the research I conducted based on the history of Samoa, there were so many old pupils who were leaders in the Samoan Government during the time of how our country became independent towards how it slowly came to develop. An example is the first Samoan Prime Minister, the late Fiame Mata’afa Faumuina Mulinu’u,” Pastor Mika said. 

“Earlier we had the initiative of starting it last year and launching it this year during the 130th anniversary, but we could not get a hold of all the articles to completely form a book.” 

“March of next year will be the deadline of articles to be submitted and so hopefully launch on June during Independence Day.” 

“In the book, it will also feature a section specifically for sports, due to the fact that Marist Brothers brought the game of rugby to Samoa in 1920.”

Pastor Mika said the main challenge he encountered was waiting for articles from the Marist old pupils.

Associate Minister of Health, Salausa Dr. John Ah Ching, who is also a Marist Old pupil, praised the idea because it will serve to encourage the new and young generation to live up to the standards of the Marist Brothers.