Group Photo of the entourage in the College Chapel. Photo: Fiji Government.
St Columban’s, Dalgan Park, Navan, is no stranger to visitors and dignitaries from different parts of the world, especially from countries where Columban missionaries worked. Ambassadors, dignitaries, and bishops from these countries drop in for courtesy calls from time to time to acknowledge the work of the Columban missionaries in their countries.
In October, we have had visits from the Korean Ambassador and a delegation of 3 bishops from China. On Sunday morning, 26th Oct 2025, the President of Fiji, His Excellency Ratu Naigama Lalabalavu and the 1st Lady Madam Emily Lalabalavu and their entourage visited us.
It was an honour and a privilege for us to welcome and host the Head of State, the President of Fiji and his gracious wife, the 1st Lady Madam Emily Lalabalavu, to St Columban's. It was a historical day for us who served as missionaries in Fiji to be honoured by such a visit and hear the president (The Tui Cakau), his chiefly title and one of the paramount chiefs of Fiji, thank the Columbans for our missionary work in his country.
Fr Pat Colgan, Fr JJ Ryan and I were the Columbans here who served in Fiji. Helped by our former Lay Missionary, Save Momo and his cousin Victor Parr, we prepared a room in the college with Fijian mats, Masi, and other Fijian artefacts available at Dalgan for the Fijian yagona ceremony of welcome, which was appropriately presented to our chief guests.
In his words of thanks, President Lalabalavu expressed his nation's deep gratitude to the Columban Fathers for their unwavering service and contribution to the spiritual and educational growth of the people of Fiji. It was humbling and emotional to hear him praise the work of the Columbans in Fiji and the Pacific.
He said: “Fiji is truly blessed and fortunate to have the Columban missionaries serve among us - to strengthen our communities through faith and education. Your mission has benefited generations of Fijians, shaped not only our faith but also imparted the values of compassion, service, and unity. The Columbans play an important role in nurturing communities across the islands, building schools, and guiding the spiritual journey of our people,” he continued: “We remain forever grateful for your sacrifices and for the strong foundation you laid for the Catholic Church in Fiji. The fruits of your mission are seen today in the growing number of Fijian priests who continue your legacy both at home and abroad.”
Father Pat Colgan, in response, thanked the president and his delegation for their visit and for his gracious words. He reiterated the rich history of the Columban Mission in Fiji, dating back to the arrival of the first group of Columbans in 1952. He also related the reason why a Missionary Society was founded in Ireland back in 1918 - so that the Gospel be preached in China. The first group of missionaries arrived in China in 1920 and were there until they were expelled in 1952, when the Communists took over China.
When Bishop Foley, then bishop in Fiji, learned of this, he invited Columban missionaries to Fiji, because the number of French and Irish Marist priests was dwindling. On 22nd February 1952, thirteen Columban priests arrived aboard the Aorangi, which docked at Suva Wharf. They were warmly welcomed at the Sacred Heart Cathedral, marking a historic milestone for the Catholic Church in Fiji.
During the 1970s, Columban numbers peaked in Fiji with 36 priests serving in as many as 14 parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Suva. However, with the establishment of the Pacific Regional Seminary in 1972, the ordination of local clergy, under the leadership of Archbishop Petero Mataca, the first Fijian (iTaukei) Archbishop of Fiji, marked the beginning of a new era of church life in Fiji with the ordination of many local priests.
At an elaborate celebratory lunch served by the Dalgan Kitchen staff in honour of the Fijian Delegation, Fr David Kenneally, our Regional Director, offered an Irish bronze handcrafted St Brigid Cross. He told the president the significance of St Brigid’s Cross in the Irish context, a symbol of protection traditionally hung in homes to ward off evil, illness, and fire. (and perhaps in Fiji against hurricanes and floods!!). The President and his entourage reciprocated, which is customary, by presenting the Columbans with gifts from Fiji.
Finally, after lunch, the entourage visited our College Chapel, had a group photo taken at the altar where Fr David prayed with and blessed the president and the 1st Lady, particularly for their ongoing trips to Rome, Dubai, India and Australia. The President said he would speak fondly of the Columbans to his Holiness, Pope Leo when he would meet him in Rome on Thursday, 30th Oct.
After 4 packed hours of activities with our visitors we sadly bade them farewell (moce). But we couldn’t help feeling proud of the many happy years we spent among the Fijian people, learning as much from their culture, customs and values as we imparted as Columban Missionaries.
Fr John McEvoy was ordained in 1972. He served on mission in Fiji and is now based in Ireland..
Related links
- Read more from the current Columban eBulletin
