An Indo-Fijian lady with the statue of St Anthony - Photo: Fr Frank Hoare
Indo-Fijians centre their lives around the home. Hindus go the temple usually only for big feasts. A Hindu family will have daily prayer at home, and worship or sacred readings on special occasions there. Catholic Indo-Fijians, too, pray at home and some participate in prayer meetings that move around the neighbourhood. They are anxious to have Mass said in their homes on special family occasions.
In my early days as a priest among Indo-Fijians I enjoyed saying home Masses where usually the extended family and some neighbours would be present. The intimate surroundings, the effort the family made to prepare well and the enjoyable social afterwards made these occasions special.
Sometimes if the crowd was big and the weather favourable the Mass would be held on the veranda or in the compound outside. One such evening Mass in a village settlement is stamped on my mind. I squatted behind the low altar, with the people sitting on mats on the grass in front. We were surrounded by ghostly trees and lights from nearby houses while the twinkling stars studded the black tapestry of the sky. A magical atmosphere for worship!
Columban Fr Frank Hoare lives and works in Fiji.
Related links
- Read more from the current e-Kaulotu - December 2025
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