On Wednesday 2nd of July 2025, Miss Seini Buladrau was farewelled by her family, friends, and school community at Christ the King Parish in Ba Town. The Resurrection Mass was presided over by Fr. Iosefo Lui while students from Xavier College participated in the liturgy, carried her casket as pallbearers, and helped with her burial at the local cemetery.
Seini was a 17-year-old student who was known for her persistent attitude and fighting spirit to overcome sickness and participate in school activities with her peers.
One of these activities landed her in a picture for a 2025 Columban Campaign where Seini was photographed collecting rubbish with a friend along the banks of Elevuka Creek. Her giggling persona in the photo hid the fact that she was privately battling Lupus at the time.
Known for her contagious smile, kind heart, and motherly nature to struggling students, it was no surprise that this young lady was surrounded by many friends who loved her. And in the days leading up to her funeral, teachers shared that they thought twice about growling at or disciplining Seini, because of her positive energy and beautiful smile that would light up any room!
Seini’s popularity at Xavier College was most evident when she spent days and weeks in hospital as her immune system began to shut down. Both teachers and students visited her daily, including friends from St Thomas in Lautoka, where she attended primary school.
School Manager and Columban Companion Mrs. Margie Muller reflects, “When we started participating in the Season of Creation program, Seini was always wanting to participate in the activities despite her medical condition. She would not miss a meeting and she was always the first to show up, waiting and sitting under the trees while the rest of us slowly arrived. I realise now that maybe Seini knew her time on earth was limited and wanted to add her voice and contribute what she could to the work.”
Seini was regarded as an exemplary student and role model at Xavier College. She loved her family and school community, cared for the environment, participated in clean up campaigns, was commissioned as a lector at the local parish, and had a reputation for being an all-round compassionate, spirited, and helpful young lady who will be sorely missed in the coming days, months, and years.
At the close of her Resurrection Mass, a hymn written by Columban Fr. Pat Visanti was sung with the words,
“Lord, we thank you for the life of Seini,
For the wonders she had shared, with us all and with her friends.
For the joyful times we spent,
For the tears and pains we shared.
Lord, help us to let go.”
The Columban Mission Office sends heartfelt condolences to Seini’s family, to the school community of Xavier College, and to all who were privileged enough to have Seini in their lives. Rest in Peace Seini.
Adi Mariana Waqa is the Partnership Coordinator at the Columban Mission Centre in Essendon.
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1 Embolden words were edited to the hymn for Seini’s funeral.
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