The island of Rotuma is abuzz with anticipation as communities from near and far gather to commemorate a significant event in the history of the Catholic Church on the island—the Centennial Anniversary of Our Lady of Victories Church in Sumi.
Set against rich cultural heritage and deep-rooted faith, the celebrations are expected to commence this week when the Most Reverend, His Grace, Archbishop Peter Loy Chong arrives. The eight communities and extended faith groups have already begun their pilgrimage to Sumi, underscoring the profound significance of this milestone for the local Catholic community.
The highlight of the festivities will be presided over by the esteemed Most Reverend Archbishop Peter Loy Chong, scheduled to arrive on Wednesday. Upon his arrival, he will be warmly received with traditional protocols, setting the stage for the formal commencement of the celebrations.
The origins of Our Lady of Victories Parish can be traced back to the inaugural mass celebrated on Christmas Day in 1846 at Vaitoka, Oinafa. Rev. Fr. Vern and Rev. Fr. Villien, early Marist Pioneers, laid the foundation for the church’s presence on the island. Subsequently, they established mission stations in Upu, within the Itu’tiu District, and in Sumi, located in the Juju District on the southern side of Rotuma.
These pioneering efforts in the mid-1800s marked the beginnings of two distinct parishes on Rotuma—the parish of Saint Michael in Upu and the parish of Our Lady of Victories in Sumi. For nearly a century and a half, these parishes operated independently under their respective parish priests until 1994, when they were amalgamated into a single parish for administrative efficiency. Since then, Sumi has served as the administrative center with a unified parish priest overseeing the spiritual needs of the entire island.
As Rotuma prepares to celebrate a century of faith and community at Our Lady of Victories Church in Sumi, the occasion stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of faith and unity that has shaped the island of Rotuma’s Catholic community.
