The Catholic Church in American Samoa celebrated the ordination of 12 permanent deacons and one transitional deacon on Friday, June 27.
The deacons have successfully completed four years of study and pastoral work to be ordained. Both the deacons and their wives underwent diaconate studies and formation.
The transitional deacon, Feteraisa Popese, is a seminarian studying for the priesthood at the Pacific Regional Seminary in Fiji.
Deacons assist priests at the altar during the Mass, give sermons, conduct baptism, witness and bless marriages, and preside at funeral liturgies among many other duties.
The Mass of Ordination was held Friday morning at the Holy Family Cathedral at Fatuoaiga, led by his Lordship Bishop Kolio Tumanuvao Etuale, with priests of the diocese concelebrating. Relatives of the deacons traveled from Hawaii, the mainland, and neighboring islands to witness the ordination.
The permanent deacons who will be assigned to different parishes of the Diocese, are:
- Lui Atonio & Akenese Polu
- Paunga & Lesieli Lolesio
- Lemapu & Taoiseumu Suani
- Enele & Elizabeth Seumanutafa
- Patrick & Ianeta Danielson
- Toeleiu & Barbara Toeleiu
- Michael & Mary Iosefo
- Fa’afo’i Tony & Masela Mauga Lei
- Viliamu & Imelda Tamati-Lilo
- Tito & Joanne Fuataga
- Aitkan & Ila Ieremia
- Mikaele & Faleatatau kalati
