Born: 17 December 1930 

 First Professed: 31 May 1967 

 Deceased: 23 May 2024 

 

 

Sr Malia ‘Anita was born at Neiafu, Vava’u, on the 17th December 1930, the daughter of Melania Pofaiva Siasau Taulangovaka of Fungamisi, Neiafu, Vava’u, and Sione Taulangovaka 

Ta’ufo’ou of Ofu, Neiafutahi, Vava’u. She was known as ‘Ana Sisifa Taulango. The family was blessed with 12 children, Sr Malia ‘Anita being the eldest. The two surviving siblings, ‘Etita Fenukitau and Losalima Magele, were at Sr ‘Anita’s funeral. 

 

Malia ‘Anita attended the Sacred Heart School at Neiafu, which at that time was run by the SMSM Sisters. Having completed her schooling, she joined the Sisters, teaching in the School while discerning God’s call for her.  

She was sent to do her formation at Woodend, Melbourne, Australia, and on May 31st, 1967, Sr M. ‘Anita made her First Profession as a Missionary Sister of the Society of Mary. In June of the same year, she was sent to assist in the Altar Bread Department at Wahroonga, Sydney.

 

In 1969 Sr Malia ‘Anita renewed her first vows at Wahroonga. She was delighted to receive her new mission, namely to help out in the novitiate on Bougainville, Territory of Papua-New Guinea. Sr ‘Anita loved sharing about her experience in Bougainville and her appreciation of another culture.  

It was with joy and gratitude that Sr Malia ‘Anita pronounced her Perpetual Vows at Ma’ufanga, Tonga on the 31 May 1973. 

 

Sr Malia ‘Anita worked in various ministries in different places during her long missionary life in Tonga. After obtaining a Certificate from the SPC in Fiji, she taught at ‘Ahopanilolo Technical School, Ma’ufanga.  She also taught at the Catholic Primary School at Niuatoputapu. She did pastoral work in various parishes: Houma, Eua island, Vava’u and Ma’ufanga.  She spent over 15 years on Vava’u, working for Women’s Development, the Catholic Women’s league, and care for the sick at her little dispensary there. She dedicated herself to caring for the ex-leprosy patients, as well as running a kindergarten which she started in 1990. 

 

Sr Malia ‘Anita was at Chanel Institute, Auckland in 1978. In1984-1985 she studied at the East Asian Pastoral Institute in Manila, Philippines. She attended a congregational spiritual renewal in Rome in 1990 and at Mont Mou, New Caledonia, in 2018. In 2017 Sister had joined the community of elderly sisters at Ma’ufanga, and remained there until God called her home. Sr Malia ‘Anita was blessed with many gifts and talents. 

 

1. She was full of life and joy, very committed to her duties and responsibilities. Whenever there was a celebration. Sr ‘Anita could be seen giving a warm, animating speech, as well as dancing her heart out. 

 

2. She was very faithful to her prayer-life, particularly to the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. Sr ‘Anita did not like to miss out on any of the community prayers, and even in her later years she would not have her breakfast until she had finished her morning prayers. Sr ‘Anita insisted on attending daily Mass, even if rain was pouring down. If, due to bad weather, she was asked not to go to the church next morning, but to receive communion in our own chapel, Sr ‘Anita would get up very early and go to the church before the Sisters got up! On the morning of her death, when Sr Telesia went to her room to help get her dressed for Mass, she found Sr ‘Anita already dressed, but with only one shoe on and the other on the floor. Sr ‘Anita set off to meet her God face to face, leaving one shoe for us, or for someone to fit into and continue her good work in God’s mission. 

 

3. She loved others and was treasured by her family. Sr ‘Anita was a very loving, caring person. When Sister heard that a family member was sick or suffering, she would try her best to go and visit that person. She always maintained interest in how everyone was, and the nieces and nephews in Tonga often brought their children to visit her. She had special love for the little ones, the grandchildren of her two brothers; they prayed the rosary and sang songs with her. 

 

We knew Sr ‘Anita to be very committed to what is right and good, but she could also be very direct and, in confronting others, sounded harsh at times. She was an independent person and didn’t like to be a burden on anyone. This at times caused tension in the community. However, later on in her life she accepted her limitations and willingly accepted the help given her. Finally, Sr ‘Anita, let go of everything, and nothing was of any importance except Jesus and Mary. Her life was a testimony of “… gradually becoming the person she is called to be: joyfully given to God for the Kingdom in the spirit of Mary”. SMSM Constitutions Art. 23. 

 

After 93 years, 3 months and 6 days of life, Sr Malia ‘Anita Taulango responded to God calling her to Himself … With her whole being she could say: “Yes, Lord, here I am”. 

Thank you, Sr Malia ‘Anita, for the prayers and invaluable witness of life you left for us and for all those whose lives you touched. 

 

MAY THE MERCIFUL HEART OF JESUS, WHOM YOU ADORED AT 3PM EACH DAY, RECEIVE YOU INTO LIFE ETERNAL. AMEN. 

 

Sister Sesilia ‘Alamoti smsm