Samoa went into White Sunday celebrations mode on Sunday morning with church congregations around the country honouring thousands of children.

The annual activity, which was first introduced by Christian missionaries in the 1800s, has grown to become a national event and is now  celebrated on the second Sunday of October.

For this year, church services were held within different denominations while shining a spotlight on the children. 

The Samoa Observer visited the St Michael Parish at Leauvaa and the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa at Utualii on Sunday to see children leading the processions.

Some church congregations had their children all dressed in white and led processions from a church hall to the church to start the official program. The children were seen performing different activities including scriptural recitations, biblical story reenactments and gospel dance performances.

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries and Fa’atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (F.A.S.T.) Chairman La’auli Leuatea Schmidt, who spoke on behalf of the Government, said White Sunday is a day specially dedicated to all the children of Samoa.

“Children are a gift from God,” he said in a Facebook livestream on Sunday. 

“We care for and nurture our children so they may have a successful future. We also praise and give thanks to the Lord that we have celebrated White Sunday this year.

“I speak on behalf of our F.A.S.T. family to convey well wishes for all the children, from our leader the Prime Minister [Fiame Naomi Mata’afa], Deputy Prime Minister [Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio], Cabinet, and also the Speaker of the House [Papalii Lio Masipau].

“And also from our members we wish all the children of Samoa a joyous White Sunday but not only the children locally but also overseas; we pray that the Lord may bless you all with long life.

“And also in your academic journey and as grow up in our country so that your parents’ dreams may come true for you to be a flag bearer for your families, villages, churches and even in government.”

He added that the children are the future of Samoa, the churches and the Government, especially the young generation.

Laauli added that White Sunday is a day to celebrate the significant role of children while they continue to grow up and be a blessing to Samoa’s future.

“Children we send all our love; a loving parent will take care of their children to the best of their abilities especially because it was through God’s love that you [children] were gifted to our hands.

“We also thank all the parents in Samoa for nurturing all the children in our country. 

“It is our responsibility as parents to look after the children, so they can grow up the right way.”