Catholic Women’s League (Fiji): “Like Mary, these women say “yes” and bring their maternal care, wisdom, tenderness, and nurturing spirit to enrich the mission of the Church” (PC: Catholic Women’s League – Fiji) - Photo: Visenia Navelinikoro
International Women’s Day celebrates women in all their capacity! Throughout the world, in families, schools, markets, businesses, sports, the media, hospitals, and churches etc., many women from diverse backgrounds devote themselves tirelessly to creating a better world. One such woman is former Columban Lay Missionary, Ms. Visenia Navelinikoro, whose missional roots were planted in a rural town north of Santiago (Chile) … a very long way from her home in Fiji.
In South America, Visenia became a student of the people, terrain, language, culture, and struggles. She witnessed the resilience and compassion of women serving their families and communities daily despite the poverty and hardship. Visenia lived out the words of St Columban, a life unlike your own can really be your best teacher!
Now working as the Catholic Women’s League office coordinator for the Archdiocese of Suva, Visenia uses the skillset she acquired from being a Columban Lay Missionary in South America to devote her efforts towards girls and women in Fiji.
Visenia’s Formation in Chile:
I spent seven years as a Columban lay missionary in Chile, during which time God opened my eyes, ears, and heart to the people I met while working with the local parish community. For three years, I lived in La Negra (Iquique) where I worked alongside women in the soup kitchen and in the women’s club. This experience provided an opportunity to meet women from all walks of life. Women who, despite their own brokenness and vulnerability, were united in serving their community and their church.
In Chile, the strength women showed while surviving the political dictatorship shaped them and strengthened their sense of purpose and survival. Living in extreme poverty, they still chose to volunteer at the soup kitchen and were filled with compassion towards those they served so lovingly—especially the children, youth, and mothers who were in desperate need.
Visenia’s Inspiration:
Today, I work as the office coordinator for the Catholic Women’s League (CWL) in Fiji and each year, the CWL holds a national convention to fundraise and hold their Annual General Meeting. The energy at these gatherings are electric!
Catholic women from urban, rural, and maritime communities camp together over a number of days where they talk, listen, pray, share meals, and fundraise (soli)— amidst song, dance, laughter, and festivities. This is a time where women take a break from their duties to be reminded of their own love story with Jesus who accompanies them through both the good and bad times.
In preparation for the gathering, many women in rural villages gather ferns from the forests, go out to sea for fish, or plant food in their gardens to sell at markets, while their urban counterparts fundraise through bake sales and social events. This is a demonstration of Catholic women’s commitment to the Church and its future as their faith moves mountains to fundraise so local seminarians receive financial assistance to complete their studies and formation at the Pacific Regional Seminary (PRS) in Suva.
One of the things I admire about the gatherings is seeing the elderly and retired CWL members who inspire younger women in their faith and leadership roles within local parishes. Like Mary, these women say “yes” and bring their maternal care, wisdom, tenderness, and nurturing spirit to enrich the mission of the Church. These women have captured my heart and as someone with a missionary charism, I am in awe of their devotion, because despite their struggles and many responsibilities, they give with joy and cheerfulness—asking for nothing in return.
On this International Women’s Day, I celebrate them. I celebrate the women of Fiji, the women of Chile, and women everywhere who, in big and small ways, devote themselves tirelessly to creating a better world. They are my teachers. They are my sisters. And they remind me every day of the boundless capacity of women to love, to serve, and to transform the world around them.
Written former Columban Lay Missionary Visenia Navelinikoro.
