Born 6 December 1948
Profession 11 February 1973
Died 22 November 2025
“I am the handmaid of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your will.” (Luke1:38)
At her requiem Mass on 26th November, we gathered at our St Mary’s Chapel with family members, Religious representatives and friends to celebrate with thanksgiving the life and death of Sr Maria Goretti Vakaoqotabua. Bishop Peter Loy Chong was the main celebrant. He was assisted by eight other Priests, most of whom were Marist Fathers
Maria Goretti, who as known as Falavia Vakaoqotabua, was born in Taveuni, the child of Kelemete Dreucavu and Mareta Tawakelivaliva on 6th December 1948. She had two sisters, Fabiana Tiko and Maria T. Drauna, who have also passed away.
Falavia’s love for God and Mary inspired her to become a religious sister, under the guidance and support of the SMSM Sisters. She took the name of Maria Goretti and made her first religious profession as a SMSM at Heretaunga, New Zealand, on 11 February 1973.
Right from the beginning of her SMSM life, she made the firm decision to offer her life and service for God’s mission. On 20th December 1980, Goretti made her final religious profession at St Mary’s, Suva Point.
Sr Goretti’s journey was marked by faithful service and compassion. Her commitment allowed her to serve in different ministries. She spent two years on the Chatham Islands Hospital doing household duties and community service; three years at St Mary’s in Suva attending the Central Nursing School; then two years in Labasa, nursing at the local hospital. She also nursed for two years at Twomey hospital. At the end of 1982 she was missioned to Tonga, where she helped at a renewal programme in Houma, worked at the dispensary in Ma’ufanga, and was a member of the community on the island of Eua. She was also the secretary for the Leprosy Trust Board in Tonga. Goretti‘s love, compassion and concern for the welfare of the ex-leprosy patients (those who were in Makogai and Twomey Hospital) were very much appreciated by the people.
As a pastoral worker for some years in Wairiki and Labasa, her apostolate was greatly valued.
Goretti’s commitment to her faith in mission work was evident in her pursuit of knowledge and spiritual growth. She studied at the PacificRegional Seminary, deepening herunderstanding of theology in her mission work. Her renewals, both in Rome and New Zealand, enriched her spiritual growth and commitment to her religious vocation. Goretti’s nursing courses and CPE, Goretti brought healing and comfort to many.
As a nurse, she cared for the sick, and also as a hospital chaplain. In her ministry at the prison, she spread God’s Word to the poor and the marginalized. Her seven years of dedicated service at the Pacific Regional Seminary (PRS) added flavour and good cheer to the colourful menus she created as the kitchen supervisor. She loved making the seminarians and staff happy and satisfied with their meals. Her service reflected her faith, dedication and love.
Not long ago, Sr Maria Goretti was called to serve in Samoa for four years, where she cared for our elderly sisters at Vailoa. She returned to Fiji in February 2022. There was a request from the Pacific Regional Seminary for Goretti to again assume the service in the kitchen, a work she took pride in.
It was at this time that she received the devastating news of her lung cancer which was an enormous challenge for her. She accepted it, aware that she didn’t have long to live. She faced her death with the same faith and courage that had guided her throughout her life.
At her funeral mass, a chosen passage was taken from the book of Job; “I know that my vindicator lives, whom I myself shall see: my own eyes, not another's, shall behold him; …. my inmost being is consumed with longing” (Job 19:25-27). Sr. Maria Goretti embodied this spirit of Job, who trusted in God’s promise of redemption. Like St Paul, her life, led by the Spirit, was reflected in the ministries she engaged in, and in the life of the people she encountered, with God’s love and compassion.
Sr Maria Goretti had celebrated her Golden Jubilee at Holy Family Parish in Labasa; 50 years of faithful service in God’s mission, inspired by the spirit of Mary our Mother.
Like Mary she echoed a resounding ‘yes’ to God’s call, saying, “I am the handmaid of the Lord, may it be done to me according to your will.”
As we mourn her passing, we are also reminded to take comfort in the promise of eternal life that God has offered to those who follow him: “That everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children for my sake and for the sake of the kingdom, will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.” (Mt, 19:29)
Rest in Peace, Sr Maria Goretti. Thank you for the person you were for each one of us, and for the gift of yourself to our SMSM Congregation, the church and to so many families and friends whose lives you have touched. The memory of you remains as a blessing to us all.
May Mary our Mother, whose virtues and spirit you desired to imitate, accompany you to Paradise.
Sr Ana Tawakelivaliva smsm
