Engaging people spiritually will enable them to spread peace to many others. When different ethnic groups meet and exchange views psychologically, it gives them more information on other cultures and creates a sense of comradeship.  The sisters from THE LADY OF NAZARETH visited Nakoroboya village and Nakoroboya primary school. We were blessed to have them in Nakoroboya! The sisters came with so many gifts for the students and community members and also information package on prayers and good life for the community members. In the evening there was a prayer session with the whole community and later the sisters presented on spiritual development and how one can better engage with god.

I was also given a chance to introduce the sisters on the work scouts do. Upon discussion the sisters shared so many stories which inspired so many people present at the school. ‘Peace is something that should begin from within’; this were the words from Mother Cabrini (89) who was our guest that evening. The visit of the sisters was so encouraging and thought-provoking.

History of The Sisters of Our Lady of Nazareth

History shows that when the first three French sisters of the Third Order of Mary [TORM] arrived in Fiji on 29th March 1882, they came to Levuka to learn to speak English. Fr. Jean-Baptiste Bréhéret sm had earlier requested for some missionary sisters to come and work in Fiji as the priests were often not able to help the female population.

On 19th May 1882 Sr.Marie du Sacre Coeur and Sr. Marie de Jesu arrived in Taveuni while Sr. Marie de la Presentation was sent to work in Solevu.

Their work, lifestyle, their God, prayers and more importantly, their compassion for the local people attracted many young Fijian girls and women. Some young girls offered to help the Sisters and this began the story and history of the ivukevuke, the name that was bestowed on these young ladies in recognition of their dedicated service to the mission work.

A novitiate was approved by Bishop Vidal and formed in 1891 in Solevu. Fr. Lahaye sm, looked after their spiritual and financial affairs while Sister M. Augustin became the first Mistress of Novices.

As more European Sisters arrived in Fiji, more of these vukevukes were assigned to help them in their work, which was mainly to teach the young children, share the Good News, tend to the sick and help in the parish work. Many Sisters found that these young local women were able to reach out to the people as they were hardworking and devoted to their tasks.

In 1952, the SOLN Society was formally established as a local religious order and the headquarters moved to Ovalau from Solevu as the latter was considered small and fairly isolated. The Sisters settled at Nasuku, where the former seminary was situated prior to its closure and transfer to Namosau, Ba. The sisters lived and did their training in the buildings provided. Their masses and prayers were held in the church that is still standing today. Moreover, they began to plant their own food in order to cater for their needs

Some SOLN sisters also moved into the Brother's place in Naserete where the old St John's boys school was once situated. Those who lived here did the domestic chores for the Marist Fathers, cooked for the boarder boys while others did the boys laundry. The Sisters lived in Naserete till 1975 when they moved to Nasuku but they continued their service in the presbytery and the boys kitchen till the early 1980's.

Bishop Foley had wanted the Sisters to study English and to study nursing so they could look after the sick. Hence in the 1960's a novitiate was built on the lower grounds of Nasuku where the postulants and novices received formal and religious education, and improved their English, by the Irish Sisters of Charity. These classes continued for a number of years till the expatriate Sisters returned.

In 1972 the first lot of retired Sisters [bubus] were brought to live in Nasuku. Hence, the buildings at the top soon became the retirement home where the bubus lived as a community and continued to their prayerful life. The novices and postulants lived at the novitiate till they moved to Suva in the early 1990's. A few years later, the bubus were also transferred to Suva.

The SOLN Sisters transferred their Domestic Training Centre from Loreto to Nasuku but this center soon closed. The Sisters then agreed to look after a number of female students who attended St. John's College but could not get a place in the hostel. The students lived in the old novitiate till it closed in 1997.

This building soon became a Renewal Centre and the SOLN Sisters are still looking after these premises.

In 1999 the SOLN sisters took over the running of the girls hostel in Cawaci. Sr. Vika, Sr.Vani and Mother Cabrini were the first SOLN sisters to take charge. This community is known as "Sola", the name once given to the site of the girls school in Cawaci, which was established by the Marist Sisters in 1898.

One must commend the hard work and dedication that these local Sisters have shown in their service to the people of this community. From the early days when there were only vukevukes to 1952 when they were formally established as a local religious order right through to the present day. Some of these Sisters have given their life to this service .

The Vukevukes who are buried at the Vatudio cemetery are :

AkenetaVirisova [D. 28/6/1919] , Mariana Bulou [D.3/12/1922,
Tekela Vunibobo [D28/4/1925], .Karolina Yalewainivuci {D.6/5/1933]
and Serafina Sekirewa [D. 1/5/1945]

The SOLN Sisters who are buried in Vatudio include:

Sr.M. Filomena Baleikanacea [D. 22/5/1952], Sr.M Filomena Farwel [D. 30/11/1959], Sr.M. Rufina [D. 24/5-/966] , Sr.M.Apolonia Damudamu [D. 23/9/1966] , Sr.M.Filomena Doloinai [D. 18/9/1972] , Sr.M.Dionisia Marama [D. 19/4/1973] , Sr.M. Serenia Naqesa [5/11/1973] , Sr. M.Marama [D. 22/6/1974] , Sr.M.Teresia Choyer [D. 14/3/1975] , Sr. M.Asilika Dugu [D.15/5/1975] , Sr.Lusia Raibeci [D. 6/1/1979], Sr. M.Libera Naio [D. 3/3/1979], Sr.M.Lewasorosoro [D12/6/1982], Sr.M.Alelaita Tilaina [D11/8/1983], Sr.M.Melania Niudamu [25/6/1986], Sr. M.Kalara Yavolitiviti [D.24/8/1987], Sr.M.Makarita Tinadranaga [D.19/11/1988] , Sr. Filomena Cagitoba [D.10/11/1989], Sr. M.Serafina [26/3/1990] , and Sr.M. Ana Niunitoga [D.13/3/1991].

May they all rest in peace.

At present we have Sr. Maria Salome, Sr. Makelesi Teresia and Sr. Gemma Diwaqa living at the Sola Convent. Sr Maria is the matron at the girls hostel and she is assisted by Sr Makelesi.

The Nasuku community comprises of Mother Cabrini Savui, Sr. Elena Natadra and Sr Pia Kelera. They help to maintain the Nasuku Renewal Centre and accommodate people or groups who wish to go on retreats, seek renewal and even those who wish to visit Cawaci.

Sources
Bani, I, Qalovi.R [Eds.] 1994 "Sacred Heart Parish 150 Years" Sacred Heart Parish. Levuka.
History of the SOLN SOLN Sisters. Suva.
2003, SOLN NecrologySOLN Sisters Suva.
Interview with Archbishop Petero Mataca, at Suva, 3rd November 2003
Interview with Mother Cabrini at Nasuku, 25th November 2003