A mass to officially open the 150th jubilee of the Missionary Sisters of the Society of Mary (S.M.S.M) was held yesterday at the newly opened Mulivai Cathedral.
The celebration united hundreds of old pupils that were taught by the sisters of S.M.S.M.
Head of State, His Highness Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi addressed the crowd.
“On Tuesday last week when the S.M.S.M committee invited me to say something today, I meditated and prayed for the occasion,” he said.
An old student of Marist, His Highness Tui Atua said he has been thinking of a theme to speak on but when he attended an event held at Vailima, he then understood its meaning.
“When the choir sang ‘who shall I see’ I whisper to myself, that is God speaking...the story of Marist and St. Mary’s missionary is a story of glory.”
Bishop Peter Brown from American Samoa led the service.
He said the true meaning of the event was being alive.
“It is the beauty of us living and having the opportunity to celebrate the work of our descendant,” he said.
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The service was dominated by old girls and elderly mothers that were taught by the S.M.S.M sisters.
Su’a Fa’asao Kamu from the S.M.S.M society in New Zealand was happy to see her old friends.
“I came all the way from New Zealand for the event so I can see my old classmates,” she said.
“We were all taught by the sisters when we were so much younger.
“Another important thing for me to being here is so I can donate to help development of the work of the S.M.S.M sisters.”
Classmate Maria Tovia of the Nazareth at Lepea was glad to attend the mass.
“Although we live in Samoa but we hardly see our other sisters serving on the other side of the island,” she said.
“I’m glad that we have once again reunited with my sisters from school.”
Another old pupil, Epi Smith is having a great time back at home.
Residing in New Zealand, Ms. Smith said “I’ve been looking forward to the event.
“I’m here now and I finally got to meet with my old friends.”
The celebration continues today with the old pupils gathering to march for the 52nd Independence celebration. Arrival of the society dates back to 1864 in June when two French nuns came to Samoa and started the St. Mary’s School at Savalalo.
They are Sr. Marie Rose and Sr. Marie de la Merci. Another nun, Sr. Marie de la Mesiricorde followed after.
The school started with only 12 girls.
In 1923, the S.M.S.M sisters started the Secondary School at Savalalo as a business and commercial school. It was the first school in the country that had a class above form 2.
All proceeds from the celebration goes towards funding a library for St. Mary’s College at Vaimoso and a computer lab for St. Mary’s Primary at Savalalo.
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