Catholic Youth Pay Tribute to Their Late Spiritual Father

By Lagi Keresoma

APIA, SAMOA – 04 MAY 2023: Catholic youth from around the country came together last night in a special Mass and vigil to pay tribute to their late spiritual father, His Grace Archbishop Alapati Lui Mataeliga in a two hour long ceremony at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception at Mulivai.

Archbishop Mataeliga was known for his commitment to developing the church youth that was evident in many events and programs such the Ta’imua Youth Program.

In 2009, he led a large contingent of the church youth pilgrims to the World Youth Conference in Australia that was attended by Pope Benedict.

As a follow up, the Samoa Catholic church hosted for the first time a Pacific Youth Conference in 2013 attended by various delegations from around the Pacific including New Zealand and Australia.

That conference was hosted at the Tofamamao Pastoral Centre at Leauva’a.

According to Auva’a Tomasi of Vaitele, Archbishop Mataeliga was a humble but strict man who wished for the best in young people.

Tomasi said the Archbishop held a calm demeanour and when he imparts a message for the young people, he delivers in a quiet and direct way that comes through in a way that is easily understood and accepted by the young of the church.

The young students of St. Marys College were emotional as they shared their thoughts to Talamua.

“When he talked to us at some events, he does not talk as a priest or church person, but like a grandfather talking to his grandchildren,” said Lagi Eli.

The youth groups lined Beach Road as the entourage of vehicles led by police escorting the hearse at the church at 4.00pm and the youth spent 2 hours reciting prayers and singing hymns until 6.00pm when the Mass started.

Before the Mass started various groups of students and youth groups presented wreaths, flowers and fine material infront of the coffin and stood in silence for a few minutes to pay their respects to the late church leader.

Students and youth groups making presentations and paying their respects.

Archbishop Mataeliga passed away in New Zealand Tuesday 25 April and his body arrived at Faleolo airport on Tuesday 2^nd May 2023.

He was welcomed in a significant celebration and unique blend of Samoan cultural practice with bare chested tattooed men wearing tapa, carrying orators whisks and talking sticks who posted the guard of honour as the coffin was carried by young men from the hearse for Mass inside the St Michael the Ark Angel church at Leauva’a.

A large group of the clergy in mainly white vestments accompanied the coffin inside the church where men in traditional attire stood guard throughout the two hour long ceremony.

Orators in traditional attire forming the guard of honour.

In his time as head of the church in Samoa, Archbishop Mataeliga re-emphasized the use and incorporation of Samoan cultural practices in church worship that were started by the late Cardinal Pio Taofinu’u in the 1970s.

Tonight is the special Mass service for all the vicariates from Savaii Island at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception at Mulivai. Then Friday 5 May is the Family Service starting at 6.00pm.

Holy Communion for youth.

His body will remain in the Cathedral after the family service for an all-night vigil until the final services on Saturday morning and burial at Malololelei.

“He was a good and well respected man who spoke his mind,” said Tomasi. “He did not waste time beating around but tell you straight what he thought of you or an issue.”

He said the 70 year old Archbishop Alapati Lui Mataeliga will be sorely missed.