On a snowy morning amidst warnings of Winter storms, when planes could not land in snowy Boston, Br. Soane Francis Siua made his Perpetual Profession, on the 9th of February 2025. A life that he will forever take and a vow that he makes to be the Brother of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary till death knocks on the door.
The inclement weather not dampen the spirit of this brave young man to say his vows even though he would have wished that his parents could be here to witness this day.
His relatives came from all over the US and even across from the Pacific islands of New Zealand and Tonga. It was a reunion for his consanguine relatives and also a farewell to a brother who was willing to give up his all, and give up his family to be a picpus member inscribed in stone. Even our Formator Fr Marisi Palepale sscc flew right from the beautiful shores of Tonga and made an effort to come and witness this milestone that Soane has chosen to take.
With the help and guidance of his mentor Fr. Maiki Kamauoha, Brother Soane was able to pull through. It is not the end of the journey but the beginning of a new chapter and how it goes he will pen it in himself with the grace of God.
The church was filled with a Polynesian theme, which graced the walls of Saint Mary’s church in Fairhaven. The Our Lady of Assumption Choir filled up the melodies with Brother Soane’s selection of hymns. It was beautiful. The altar servers of St Joseph’s who had the privilege to be guided under Soane in his Pastoral Year made an effort to be part of this auspicious occasion.
A new experience was introduced when Brother Soane was covered by a Tongan mat woven from pandanus leaves in a pall but instead of the usual funeral Pall, he lay on the Tapa and was covered with a mat, a sign that he died to his old self and was raised to be another. These two symbolic traditional items carry a deep meaning that is entrenched and embedded in every Pacific Islander. Brother Soane continues his Journey to Fiji to complete his Theology and if God willing we will be looking forward to ordaining another brother soon.
02/12/2025