100 Year old Nun Encourages Young Sisters not to be Judgemental

By Lagi Keresoma/

“Live joyfully in the service of God…. Share and listen to his love and stop gossiping and do not be judgemental,” Sr. Malia Makelita Leaua’i.

Apia, SAMOA – 22 March 2024: Sister Malia Makelita Leaua’i who celebrated her 100th birthday yesterday has had a colourful life journey according to her colleagues.

A member of the Missionary Sisters of the Society of Mary (SMSM) at Vailoa, Sr. Makelita had set examples for the younger generations of nuns that followed her generation.

“She has a humble heart, a perseverance worker, a person with a strong faith in her belief and a very funny comedian,” Sr. Jacinta Fido who looks after the SMSM residents read out some of the comments recorded by former and current colleagues of Sr. Makelita’s character.

But her consistent advice and encouragement to the younger generation of sisters is “stop gossiping and do not be judgemental,” said Sr. Fido.

She also encourages everyone to be patient and to be understanding of little matters that cross their paths.

Sr. Makelita’s hope and dream for the congregation is for each sister to look deeply into themselves and their relationship with God.

Sr. Fido said Sr. Makelita’s sense of humour will certainly make one dull day memorable and she would start singing and dancing out of the blue and everyone follows.

Celebrating at 100 years and still with the strength and rhythm to a Samoan siva.

Sr. Makelita was born on 21st March 1924 at Manono.

At the age of 22, she entered the service at Moamoa in 1946 and so began a service that spanned over her lifetime.

Sr, Makelita has 12 siblings and her younger sister Sieni Leaua’i spoke on behalf of her Manono family to share some of her life story.

Sieni said Sr. Makelita left their home while she and others were very young.

On the day of her ordination as a nun, she and her young sisters and mother went to Moamoa and as a group of young nuns strolled by, Sr. Makelita saw them.

“She came and hugged our mother then looked at us and asked, who are they, and my mother said they are your sisters,” said Sieni.

After her ordination at Moamoa in 1946, she started her service at Aleipata and was later transferred to serve at church missions around Samoa, American Samoa, Fiji and New Zealand.

The milestone was celebrated in a Mass conducted by Father Falaniko and assisted by Father Spa and Father Ricky.