The first steps towards the construction of the Carmelite Monastery in Fahefa Tonga have been taken.

This has been done with the blessings of a delegation from Samoa at the groundbreaking ceremony on Monday.

The contingent includes Mother Superior Sr Maria Elisapeta ocd, Sister Antonina ocd and members of the Samoa Charity Foundation for Carmelite Mission.

They include the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Laauliolemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt, who is the Chairman, Karameli Tuala, Theresa Thomsen, Mulipola Anarosa Molio’o and member of the OCDS.

The Carmelite Monastery was first established in Tonga on 19th March 2011, exactly six year ago.  

There are seven sisters in the Carmelite Community there:

• Mother Teresa of Jesus (Fifita Vi from Haapai, Tonga)

• Sr Marie Sonia Guilloux (Sonia Guilloux from New Caledonia)

• Sr Stella Laina (Saane Laina Katoa from Haapai, Tonga)

• Sr Pauline Ilalio (Pepepaula Peseta Lesa Ilalio from Vailima, Samoa)

• Sr Cecilia Faanuualii (Cecilia Josephine Tutonu Faanuualii from Moamoa)  

• Sr Catherine Tolu (Diana Haavale Tolu from Longoteme, Tonga)

• Sr Mary Joseph (Tonga Vaka’uta from Folaha, Tonga)

For two years’ the committee have been fundraising for this dream and now it has finally become a reality.  

The committee also has branches in Wellington, Auckland and Christchurch all for the same and main purpose is to fundraise to assist the Carmelite Missions.  

Sr Maria Elisapeta and our Sisters in Samoa are delighted with the progress of the work, given the groundbreaking ceremony of the monastery now underway and it’s all thanks to the community and good Samaritans for their continuous support and assistance in many forms of donation and assistance.

“The Carmelite community in Wallis & Futuna and Samoa are in prayers for the successful initiation of this project as anything that will commence with the presence and the blessings from God will also conclude with blessings from him. Everything is possible with the help and love of the Lord.”