An MSC Kiribati story by Br Kaake Ioane MSC, a Brother's vocation

With acknowledgement to the Website of our new Pacific Province

Acknowledging the Past, Embracing the Present, and Welcoming the Future

I first came to know about the MSC in the 1970s. The MSC was the only Congregation in Kiribati at that time. We were encouraged to go and spend a weekend with the MSC community and then a one-year spiritual program in those days. Those who wished to continue after their spiritual year would move on to a two-year Novitiate program.

From 1970 to the 1980s, most of the members at that time were old Priests and Brothers. They came from France, Switzerland, Germany, and Australia. Most of them passed on in Kiribati, and some had returned to their home countries.

Between 1978 -1979, I decided to join the MSC as a volunteer, and later in the 1980s, I joined the MSC as a Religious Brother. The Novitiate in Kiribati began in 1981, and in 1982, I started my Novitiate formation. Before this year, most of our senior members would go to Papua New Guinea for their Novitiate and seminary studies.

Between 1980 and 1990, the Administration and Formation (Novitiate) were based in Kiribati. As time went on, there were many necessary changes and developments. The vocation increases from different parts of the Pacific Islands, the erection of the Pacific Union in 1988, and the relocation of the Administration and the Formation from Kiribati to Fiji were necessary changes.

By the year 2000, I learned that the Leadership Team in the Pacific Union became more localized than before. The challenges and responsibilities increased, additional plans and expectations were required, and more of our younger MSC members were deceased than before.

As a religious Brother, I had been assigned to different places with different challenges. Despite these challenges, I admitted that I had learned a lot from my mistakes and limitations. During the 1990s, I also learned the value of loving and caring while working with disabled children and adults at the Kiribati Red Cross.

Since 2006, presently I am in Fiji working with disadvantaged male youths. By daily living my three vows of obedience, chastity, and poverty, I am reminded and deeply connected in solidarity with those suffering from this Covid 19 pandemic:

Obedience: I must listen, obey, or follow the guidelines and protocols from the authorities to stop spreading the virus by wearing a mask and washing hands, avoiding nonessential gatherings, getting vaccinated, and staying home.

Chastity: I need to be more compassionate to those affected by this coronavirus and be more concerned for those frontline workers working hard during the day and night.

Poverty: I must share with those who have no jobs, no money, and no food. To care for those who have no family, friends, or home.