Fellow Columbans and family members with Aminiasi in the hospital. Photo: Erl Dylan Tabaco
Aminiasi (Amini) Ravuwai was born on the 10th of August, 1983, in the Parish of St. Agnes, Suva, Fiji. He was educated at the St. Agnes Primary School from 1988 until 1996 and then at the Rishkul Santan Secondary College until 2001. From there, Amini took advanced studies in the Teachers College until 2003, and on taking his teacher's degree, taught Basic Science and Maths at the Leleen Secondary School for the following 10 years. As Amini was keen on sports, he coached the U17s Rugby team at the Leleen School.
His faith journey was always important to him, and life as a missionary an attractive option. So, in 2013, he entered the Columbans. The following year saw him travel to the Philippines for his Spiritual Year, and his first taste of missionary life, and after that back to Fiji to continue with his Theology studies. Amini's missionary journey continued when he set off for Peru, having been assigned there for his 2 FMA years during 2017 and 2018. While in Peru, he was asked to work in the Parish of Los Santos Arcangeles, and in particular the two communities of Patria Nueva and Sta. Rosa and San. Martin (Vipol). Amini, with his huge smile and gentleness, was popular wherever he went and made a big impact on the people of the parish.
After FMA, Amini went back to Fiji to complete his studies and thereafter was ordained priest on the 22nd of December, 2020, having spent some time previously as a deacon in the parish St. Pius, Riawaqa. Amini was then re-assigned to Peru in 2021, where, to the delight of the people, he was asked to go back to the parish of Los Santos Arcangeles, where he worked until his death on the 9th of January 2025, and where we will celebrate his life with gratitude. He is buried in Campo Fe, Lima, Peru.
Fr Aminiasi on the day of his ordination. Photo: Columbans Fiji.
Amini was the first priest from both sides of his family, and while the family was important to him, with four brothers and four sisters, whom he loved being around, the call to mission was strong enough to overcome those bonds in answer to a greater need.
When I went to his room in the clinic to explain to Amini what the Doctor had said to me about his cancer being terminal, he looked off for a while staring, in silence, eventually turning his gaze back, tutted, and said, “Just whenever my missionary journey was starting”.
May he rest in peace.
Columban Fr Tony Coney lives and works in Peru.
Related links
- Read more from the current Columban eBulletin
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