“Like many others who return home after an absence of many years, I was returning to my home country, the Friendly Islands of Tonga…

How did I feel?  I was very excited, anxious and longing to see my family and friends again…

Initially I thought “where are the people?”.  The smallness of the island hit me, there were few cars at the airport, and as for the heat – it was something else!

Returning to my Island home I was aware of my responsibility to introduce the Tongan culture and customs to my Kiwi Little Company of Mary Sisters…

Coming back to Tonga in 1974, I was challenged.  There were struggles but there was also joy, hope and trust.  I always felt the presence of Mary at the foot of the cross in my daily journey of life in Tonga.”  (Sr Lusia Tupou)

From “A Faithful Presence” Stories from the Little Company of Mary Mission in Tonga