Missionary Society of Saint Columban "Empowering Children’s Voices Through the Laudato Si Masi Mural"
The Laudato Si Masi Mural has journeyed across Viti Levu, visiting numerous Catholic schools to amplify the voices of the children. Measuring 4 feet in width and length, this unique Masi Mural has served as a canvas for students to share their thoughts and commit to environmental pledges.
On Saturday, May 11, 2024, the St Pius Children at the Raiwaqa Parish joyfully launched the Laudato Si Masi Mural after a Laudato Si Session. Eager to be the first, the children penned down their messages with the knowledge that their words would be shared and read by other children.
The initiative kicked off at St Joan of Arc in Sigatoka and St. Peter Chanel in Korolevu, captivating Year 8 students who were experiencing such an event for the first time. The journey continued as the Mural made its way to Mount St. Mary’s in Nadi, St. Thomas in Lautoka, St. Teresa in Ba, and Vatukoula Marist Convent in the gold town of Vatukoula, gathering heartfelt messages and pledges along the way. The children while learning were also having fun.
In the second week, the campaign shifted to Suva, engaging students at St. Joseph the Worker in Nakasi, St. John Bosco in Nepani, Stella Maris in Nasese and St. Marcellin in Vatuwaqa, who were excited to hear the stories from the other schools and their messages on the Masi Mural. Each school eagerly participated, leaving their mark on the Masi Mural as a symbol of their commitment to environmental stewardship.
Notably, Lomary, a school directly impacted by climate change, expressed their concerns about rising sea levels encroaching upon their classrooms. Despite the challenges they face, the students remained hopeful and determined to take action. At St. Anne's, the last school to host the Masi Mural, the all-girls class reflected deeply on their connection to the environment.
Throughout the journey, students marveled at the Masi material, derived from the Pandanus plant and traditionally used in indigenous ceremonies. This realization evoked gratitude and appreciation for nature's gifts, prompting a sense of responsibility towards environmental conservation.
Drawn and painted by Malisa Kirite and Petra Fong of St Joseph’s Secondary School and Yat Sen Secondary School, respectively, the artwork resembles two hands supporting the world with a Laudato Si-inspired message of interconnectedness and stewardship towards our planet.
Interestingly, none of the children signed on the artwork of the hands holding up the world within the Mural. This act of restraint symbolized their reverence for the artwork and perhaps a deeper understanding of the need to preserve our planet.
Masi, also known as Tapa, is crafted from the bark of the mulberry tree (Broussonetia papyrifera). The inner bark undergoes a meticulous process of soaking, beating to softness, and meticulously assembling into cloth strips, a method that spans over 2-3 weeks in duration. The indigenous people of Fiji and the Pacific pass down the intricate art of Masi-making through generations, preserving a rich cultural tradition.
As the journey concluded at Central House, the staff eagerly awaited the Mural's arrival, anticipating the meaningful messages it now carried. The Mural will find its permanent home at the Columban Central House at 119 Queen Elizabeth Drive, where it will serve as a testament to the children's commitment to caring for the Earth and preserving biodiversity, inspiring all who encounter it in the years to come.
Ioane Nawaikula is the JPIC Coordinator in Fiji.
