A new member of the clergy has appealed to youth to "search for the calling" and not sit back waiting for it to happen, as he took his final vows in his ordination as a Catholic priest.

Father Michael Maselino Kolio, 31, made the appeal after he was ordained as a priest on Tuesday at the Immaculate Conception Mulivai Catherdral, becoming the first in his family to take on that path.

The ordination was attended by the Archbishop of the Catholic Church in Samoa, Alapati Lui Mataeliga, priests and deacons of the Archdiocese of Samoa and family and friends of Fr. Michael Maselino Kolio.

Fr. Michael is a former student of the Channel College and later studied as a seminarian in Fiji for seven years, the Philippines for over a year and in Papua New Guinea for two years before completing his studies in Samoa as part of his theological training.

In an interview with the media on Tuesday, Fr. Michael said he had been studying for about 13 years and thanked God for his love and kindness during his journey to his ordination.

"It wasn't easy because there were many challenges and problems that I had faced," he said.

He then thanked everyone who assisted him through this path, adding that once his journey commenced his mother had passed away, including priests who constantly gave him advice.

Fr. Michael said that they had passed on knowing that he will one day become a Priest, something he was able to achieve on Tuesday morning. 

He had then highlighted their support and assistance to him throughout his journey of theological training.

"I thank the Lord for his blessings and everything he has given me now that [I have completed the journey]," he said.

Fr. Michael then made mention of the support from his family and gave his thanks to his father's family, his late mother's family and his mother's family from Faleapuna.

He had also given his thanks to his friends and fellow classmates.

As the Catholic community in Samoa celebrate this year as the year of youth and appointments [in the church], he was asked what are some of his challenges for the youth for appointments within the church, Fr. Michael explained that he usually tells the youth that God is calling but they are not listening.

"That's why I pray that the youth answer. Look for a change in an answer from last year to a new answer to the call this year. It means standing up and searching where the voice is coming from," he said.

He explained that a lot of people may say they do not know where it comes from but people who are called will feel the spirit of the Lord.

"We are called and we search where the calling comes from but not by just getting up and listening then stop there," he said.

"I hope the youth look where the call is from. How do you search? Do programmes that will enable youth to find the calling and the priest should not just sit down and rely on the youth to answer the call."

He explained it cannot be answered if those with appointments within the church are sitting down and that the youth can answer the call if they also work so that it compliment the calling.

Fr. Michael will now serve the Catholic parish of Safotu following his ordination on Tuesday.