Vincentian History in Fiji

In 1954, Bishop Foley of Suva, Fiji, invited the Australian Vincentians to open a college in his Diocese. The invitation was not accepted.   In 1956, the Bishop requested the Vincentions to open a small seminary in which the first three years of the seminary course would be taught;   The request was declined at the time, but by 1959 was accepted in a different form.   In May 1959, Fr Arthur Bridgewater CM and Tom O'Reilly CM left Sydney to commence a Fiji Mission which was to consist of a Mission Station and a Seminary.  The Mission Station was at Natovi on the east coast of Viti Levu (taken over from the Marist Fathers).  Under the care of Fr Bridgewater and other Vincentians, both Fijian and Australian, it has flourished as is now Natovi Catholic Community (see below on this page).   The Seminary did not eventuate at the time, but since the, Pacific Regional Seminary (conducted by the Archdioces of Suva and other diocese of the region) has been set up.   Vincentians teach in that Seminary, and Vincentian Students attend the Seminary for academic formation (see beldow on this page.)

Over the years, the Vincentian presence has grown, particularly by the number of Fijian young men joining the community.   Vincentians are now involved in five different locations in Fiji.

 

Natovi Catholic Community

Natovi Catholic Community is located on Vitu Levu  some 40 km north of Suva.  It comprises St John the Apostle Parish, a Parish School and Hostel for students attending the school.

 

   

St Vincent de Paul Parish, Nausori

St Vincent de Paul Parish is at Nausori, on the edge of Suva, an area where a concentration of Indian-Fijians can be found.

 

 

   

Vincentian Regional House, Tamavua

The Vincentian Regional House at Tamavua, on the outskirts of Suva, is a regional base for the Vincentians in Fiji.

 

 

St Vincent's House of Formation, Wailoku

St Vincent's House of Formation at Wailoku (outside Suva)  is the Formation House for Vincentian students from Fiji, Rotuma, Tonga, Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea.  The students attend Pacific Regional Seminary (see below) for their academic formation. The complex includes a number of small buildings in the bure (small house) style.  The picture above left  shows the library (bottom floor) and the chapel.

Interior of the Chapel	Formation House Buildings

Na vale ni soqo soqo - Communal Gathering Area

Pacific Regional Seminary of St Peter Chanel, Suva

In 1970, the Bishops' Conference of the Pacific (CEPAC) decided to establish a Seminary in Suva to cater for candidates to the Priesthood in the eastern Pacific.   The Seminary was formally set up in 1972 with 18 students,  and moved to its present site on Queen Elizabeth Drive near Suva Point in June 1973. Since that time,  the number of students has continued to increase, These students are from Fiji, Bangladesh, the Caroline Islands, Kiribati, New Caledonia,  Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Wallis-Futuna, Samoa and Vanuatu.  At present, two Vincentians are on the lecturing staff of the Seminary, and  Vincentian Students from Wailoku (see above) attend the Seminary for academic studies.  Pictures below are of the Seminary, and the interior of the Chapel.