THE TOUCHING TRUE STORY BEHIND THE HIT “FIJIAN GOSPEL ACCLAMATION”
DURING THE WYD FINAL MASS IN SYDNEY
OTWOMD’s EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
with SEMINARIAN INIA TIKOLUTU
one of the Fijian Dancers during the WYD Final Mass Gospel Acclamation

Isn’t it Divine providence and paradoxical that instead of you searching for the story, the story comes to you? Sometimes you wanted to know more about a very interesting story but you can’t do anything but to wait until someone has uploaded an update. This is what happened to me just a few days ago. Last week during the Live Coverage of WYD Final Mass, 500 million viewers tuned in all over the Globe. One of the Highlights of the Final Mass was the Gospel Acclamation performed by the pilgrims from Fiji who did an indigenous rendition of the Gospel Acclamation (the part of the Mass wherein the faithful sing the Alleluia before the Gospel is read by a Priest).

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It really moved me. I thought I was the only one, but apparently, most of the people who witnessed the Fiji version of the Gospel Acclamation was so astounded by the performance that it became an instant hit among the Catholic clergy and lay community. According to one of the Catholic Priest, Father Jeffrey, who uploaded the clip of the song and dance in his Youtube channel, “Simply the most reverential and inspiring Gospel procession that I have ever seen.” It was a never before seen or heard in a Papal Mass yet it caught the hearts of so many faithful that it became an instant hit. People literally wanted to have a piece of the story about the group, about the song, the dance moves, the translation of the lyrics and gazillion other things about that famous Gospel Acclamation. Yet, as modest as I can be, I can’t help but boast in humility, that I accidentally stumbled across one of the performers through my blog (or should I say vice versa). And OTWOMD has grabbed an exclusive interview with the one of the Fijian Dancers who was actually there, performing in front of the Holy Father.

It all started when when I was searching in the net for the story behind the song and dance (in which many people who attended the mass were interested also) until I found none. I read a few passing story in the Fiji Times about the Singer named Mrs. Leger who chanted the Gospel acclamation but it was not enough. I was so attracted to the song that I even recorded a complete mp3 format direct from the video coverage just to satisfy my urge to learn more about it. Why is the song and the performance moving? Precisely because it symbolically represents the spring time of the Catholic Church in the Asia-Pacific region. And bearing the Gospel, was for me, a symbol of the Evangelization of the Islands and taking part in spreading the Gospel among the nations. Actually I was looking for any translation and title of the song, but the Internet offered nothing. So I just focused myself on other stories that would somehow be beneficial to my readers, letting go of my enthusiasm about the Fijian Gospel Song.

As my Media player was constantly playing for a whole day the Fijian chant which I earlier recorded, an email came into my inbox– a comment in my blog awaiting for moderation. I opened the email and to my surprise a commenter from Fiji left a message. I thought it was just another poser who is trying to pull my leg, but when I checked my stats and globetracker, the comment was indeed from the Fiji Islands in the Pacific. He left these comments:

Hi, I was part of the Fijian Gospel procession and I am quite happy with your
coverage not only on the final mass for wyd but throughout the week events – In Christ, Inia

The night before the email came, I was painstakingly looking for the story behind the Fiji Dance and Song until he accidentally stumbled on my blog. I withheld my excitement because during the time that I read his comment, it was already evening here, and the pacific islands are ahead of our time so I thought he won’t be able to read my reply because probably it was already midnight in Fiji. So I waited the next morning to email him. The next day, I sent him a message asking him if I can have an interview via email, and he gladly agreed. My Interview is “Providential” since I believe (sorry for the Atheists and Rationals) that its not a mere coincidence but a Divine Providence that he stumbled on my blog on the same moment that I was looking for his group’s story. Okay, call me superstitious but out of the Billions of internet surfers around the world, what is the odd of him landing on my blog? Coincidence, not at all.. its providence.

I was intentionally looking for the story of the singers because I thought the dancers were indigenous performers. But providence as I may say, I had a better respondent than was expected.

My primary goal in this interview is to prove wrong the assumption of certain atheist and traditionalist bloggers that the Gospel Acclamation done by the Fijians is a Pagan/Tribal ritual. This was the reason why I was also looking for the translation of the song, to prove to the world that it is a liturgical song, sung in Fijian language. I contradict allegations and assumptions not by arrogance but by TRUTH. And indeed, the Holy Spirit led me to truth itself.

Just for info’s sake, Fiji is an island nation in the South Pacific Ocean east of Vanuatu, west of Tonga and south of Tuvalu. The country occupies an archipelago of about 322 islands, of which 106 are permanently inhabited, and 522 islets. The two major islands, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, account for 87% of the population. There are approximately 80,000 Catholics in Fiji, just under 10% of the total population. The whole of the country forms a single archdiocese, the Archdiocese of Suva. The 1996 census revealed just over 75 percent of Catholics to be indigenous Fijians and 5 percent Indo-Fijians, with minority communities making up the balance.

So before I proceed, I encourage those who did not watch the final mass on the live telecast, the “much talked about” performance of the Gospel Acclamation by Brother Inia and the rest of the young people in Fiji. I assure you, your 6 minutes is worth the time.

Below is my email interview with Brother Inia from Fiji

Bluepanjeet: Can you tell a bit about yourself?

Inia: Before I continue I would just like to clarify one thing: I am a seminarian, so I guess it was my fault that you referred to me as “sister.” (bluepanjeet laughing yet apologetic) Yes, I laughed and laughed but that is OK. I am following your footsteps as a seminarian and I am enjoying the studies and the lifestyle of and as a seminarian. I am in fourth year now and preparing for my pastoral year next year, 2009. I am studying at the Pacific Regional Seminary, in Suva Fiji. The seminary looks after the islands of the Pacific including Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu, Sololmons, Cook Islands and Kiribati along with New Calodonia and Wallis and Futuna.(Fiji also)

How did you stumble on my blog?

I was looking for pictures of WYD08 and I was checking through the websites related to the WYD official site and I found yours. I was first caught by the picture of the eagle’s/angels’ right wing?

What made you decide to grant this interview?

I just felt that the world would need to know how rich our faith can become if we share this richness of our wonderful faith ? that is what it means to be Catholic isn’t it?

You mentioned earlier that a media from Rome already interviewed you regarding your performance; can you tell me more about it?

it was not really an interview but a request about some of the details I’ve mentioned above and I wrote in a paragraph and sent through the internet before WYD 08 started. If you had watched the TV (I do not know on which channel) on that Sunday after the Mass, Rome (this was what I heard from a friend) replayed the Papal Mass again on TV and the commentator was using the paragraph I sent them. BUT, it was not as detailed as your questions demanded. Don’t worry I am happy to answer these questions

Are you and your group aware that you became an instant hit among the Catholic community? When did you realize that everyone wanted to know more about the story of your group?

No, my Brother we did/do not know that we are a hit among our catholic community. But we realized that everyone wanted to know about us because the Bishops and Archbishops and priests ‘mobbed’ us straight after the mass, trying to take close-up pictures of us with them and all that. They even took our traditional fans for souvenirs and would have taken our skirts too if we hadn’t told them that we only had underwear under the skirts. Yes Brother we did laugh with them, some older bishops and priests had to wipe off their tears when we told them we were from Fiji. We had thought that it was only the clergy who were touched by our procession and a few media personal, just that. We didn’t know that the wider community was very much interested in us. The Bishops and priests were lucky because we used the same gate to enter and exist through (with them).

Who invited you to perform in the World Youth Day Final Mass in Sydney?

We the seminarians of the Pacific Regional Seminary were invited by the International Liturgy Committee to prepare for the Procession of the Word at the Final Mass at the WYD08 in Sydney. I personally then approached the Parish priest of the Sacred Heart Parish, in Levuka, Ovalau Is for his youths to sing/chant the gospel procession hymn/chant and also the gospel acclamation.

Did you hesitate in accepting the invitation?

My brother in Christ, we said yes to the invitation, we did what we were asked to do and we go back to our seminary as witnesses like all the youths of the world that were there at the WYD08. It is our duty to Glorify God the Creator, and we would continue to say YES to Him and to His Church

How many groups were you in the performance?

The Fijian Gospel Procession group that took part in the Final Mass for the WYD08 were made up of two groups of people. The First group i.e. the Dancers are made up of Seminarians of the Pacific Regional Seminary – the 8 dancing with traditional fans are Fijians in their traditional garb, the four bearing the platform for the Holy Book are from Tonga, Vanuatu, Solomons and a Caroline Islander (FSM) respectively in their own traditional costume (from their own island nations). The second group, the singers are are made up of 38 youths from the village of Tokou with the Parish Priest Fr Toma of the parish of the Sacred Heart of Jesus of the old capital of Fiji, Levuka on the island of Ovalau, Fiji Islands.

How are the performers (8 of you) where chosen? Are you all studying in the same seminary? How about the four other bible carriers, do you know them personally or were they just chosen to represent their countries?

Actually, we were responding to our Archbishop’s request to have some seminarians accompanying the world’s youths as witnesses at the WYD08. there were 9 diocesans and 3 Marists. When the invitation and request came from the International Liturgy Committee, we did not back-out but became determined to see to it that the request is granted to the last letter. It was easy since we are all seminarians including the four bible bearers. The initial number requested by the ILG (international Liturgy group) was 7 seminarians to process the bible since 7 is considered as a whole number. We wanted the entire 12 seminarians attending the WYD08 to participate so that’s how the number went to 12 instead of the requested 7.

How old are you and the rest of the seminarians?

I am 31 years old, Etuweni Rasiosateki is 36 years old, Rev Donato Kivi (our Deacon) 35years old, Luke Nalau 33 years old, Simione Koroi 27 yrs old, Nimilote Petero 26 yrs old, Selesitino Tomasi 26 yrs old, Roga Raikivi is 33 yrs old, Richard Harui is 29 yrs old, Ikea Diophil is 32 yrs old, Tuiaki Latu is 26 yrs old, Wily Melteras is 29 yrs old

Can you locate for me where you are in the official press photos?

The attached photo shows me in the front on the right-side. Petero Nimilote (year IV) is on my left.Behind me is Luke Nalau (Year VI) and behind Petero is our Deacon Donato Kivi.

the one where the bible bearer was on his way to give the Holy book to the Deacon I had my back towards the camera still on the right.

In this photo the other four i.e. Loane Simione on the right front, on his left is Tomasi Selesitino behind them bringing up the rear are on the right is Roga Raikivi and Etuweni Rasiosateki on his left

Who composed the song?

The lyrics were composed by a deceased Diocesan priest, Fr Leone Raselala, our present Rector; Fr Veremo Dovarua and a former seminarian Elima Tikolutu. The late Fr Leone’s intention was for the hymn to be used during the bible processions. The hymn has been sung in our local churchs for many years now. Fr Rector and Elima lifted it to a new level by making it into a chant thus enabling us to put in the moves in sync with the beat of the “lali” wooden gong and the clapping of cupped hands. It took us three months to understand, memorise the lyrics and perfect the moves. We the seminarians had to travel over to the island of Ovalau (since there were only 12 of us) where the 39 youths including the Parish priest were living to pracftice with them. So we did travel during one of our hoidays, yes my brother we sacrificed our holidays to practice the Gospel Procession for WYD08. It was an exciting adventure we were already on pilgrimage.

Who taught and thought the song and singers?

I chose the choir and they chose the song

What were the Fijian instruments used in the chant

A wooden gong “lali”. We beat it as we beat the drum, yes we would need sticks for that.

Are the choir made up of Fijian young people or are they gathered from Fiji from all ages?

Except for the Priest and 4 (four) elders all the rest of the choir are young people.

Who choreographed your dance steps?

Elima Tikolutu, a former seminarian choreographed the steps and other movements.

Are your dance in anyway adapted from any cultural dance of your country?

in our cultural dances in our different Pacifican island countries we do use the costumes we adorned on that day

How many days or weeks did you master those steps?

One solid week to master them and three solid months to practice and perfect them

When you were rehearsing your dance, are you also rehearsing with the choir who sang the Vavakoso (title of the song)?

Yes we did, we wouldn’t perform to the best of our ability unless the group to chant was there.

Did you showed to your Archbishop your performance prior to the final mass? What did he say?

During a Confirmation mass by our Archbishop for the students of a boarding school on Ovalau we used the opportunity to present the procession meant for the WYD08 to our Archbishop Petero Mataca. He approved what he saw sugested a few changes and we were on the next plane to Australia the next weekend.

Did you had any general rehearsals in Sydney?

We attended two rehearsals with other mass participants thus we were able to bring about a performance fit for heaven and earth.

Can you tell me about the Theological meaning and structure of your dance?

• We were barefoot: relating to the Old Testament story of Moses taking off his sandals for he was treading on sacred ground.

• The platform related to the ark of the Old Testament carried by the priests, we are student priests (seminarians)

• Our number; there are 12 of us it is easy since our theology cannot be complete without the relationship of New Testament so there were 12 tribes in the OT and there were 12 apostles in the NT, thus our number – 12 persons processing the Divine Word.

• We inverted a procession hymn into a traditional chant bringing forth the richness of inculturation of the Liturgy. These are not new things but traditional to the Church and traditional to us. Our procession was a dance that was traditional as the Mass is traditional. It was a sacred dance fit only for the Creator of Heaven and earth, God the Father, God the Son and the Holy Spirit. (bluepanjeet’s reaction: Fantastic! Well said!)

What do you call the pedestal / platform that the bible bearers carry? Is that a stretcher? Or it has a local name? Does it also have any theological symbolism and is it part of the culture of the pacific islanders to carry important things on that pedestal?

In Fijian, the bible platform or stretcher as you called it is referred to as the “i vatavata.” Culturally and traditionally only chiefs are carried on the “i vatavata,” some Pacific island nations used too but it was discouraged by the missionaries. The coverings upon it are of special bark cloth dyed red signifying the presence of the chief and the white trailing bark cloth traditionally believed that the message of the Divine travels through from it. Its theological symbolism is that we are carrying the Living Word of God; we are a means of His transportation to his throne from whence he will address His beloved people.

Tell me about the costume you were wearing: who made them? Was there any symbolical meaning on your costumes?

Our costumes were partly made by my old grandmother with a few other women of the village of Tokou, the island of Ovalau in Fiji. The bark skirts (looking like grass skirts) an the costumes worn by the four carriers were the same kind of skirts and costumes our forefathers used to wear thousands of years ago before Christianity came to our shores. Today we put them on for traditional dances during functions or for decorations. The Red dyed bark cloth around our waist signifies the mark of a chief we are heralding or bringing in this situation the Word of God, the white bark cloth around our left shoulder represents the sacredness and respect only accorded to chiefs and in this case the Chief of all chiefs – God.

What is the meaning of the fan that you used in the Gospel Procession?

In the Fijian culture and tradition only chiefs and their family members use fans. Though this is not considered as a taboo today, so anyone can use or possess a fan. In the procession we use the fans symbolizing the chiefly procession we are bringing and also we are sons of the Greatest chief ? God the Father, and we are all his sons and daughters, we are members of his chiefly family.

What was the main intention of your performance?

Our main intention as I reminded my brother seminarians before processing was that we were going to help the youths of the world in their prayer, we were to enhance their prayer in the Liturgy of the Word so that they will fill the richness and fullness of the Eucharistic mystery and be able to share what they witness in the sweetness of that mystery to others that they meet as they go home after the WYD08.

What was on your mind during the performance?

we started to move forward in our procession on that Sunday, I only heard the first verse – the rest of the way to the top i did not hear anything, though I was moving accordingly to the tune and beat of the ‘lali.’ I only came back back to my senses when we arrrived back to where we started as we were making our way back.

Aside from being focused on your performance and getting back to yoursenses when it was over, what was your general feeling when you where performing?

Other then movement I felt nothing?.i heard nothing smelt nothing?but I only felt that I was moving so I kept moving I did not want to stop. I did not lose consciousness or something like that. It was just that the movements that I was to perform just came as if naturally like in making the sign of the cross unconsciously ? I did not need the words.

After your performance what did you and your fellow seminarians felt? What did you talked about?

We felt good, happy and wonderful. Straight after the performance we said a little prayer of thanksgiving to God and we shook hands with one another but we kept our excitement low since the mass was still in progress. We were happy because we knew we had helped the youths of the world/the people of the world in their prayer to God at that particular occasion. We were proud of God’s love for all of us, His children here on earth.

After the performance did you already changed your clothes or where you still wearing the same costume throughout the mass?

We wore our costume throughout the Mass but because it was a cold morning we had cloaks and blankets around our shoulders to stay warm.

In that performance what is your reflection on your own journey as a catholic?

My reflection: WITH THE LORD AT MY SIDE I CAN ACCOMPLISH WHATEVER IS ASKED OF ME IN GOD’S NAME

How many Fijian delegates were there in WYD? Where did you stay?

My PRS Group delegates were made up of 12 seminarians and 5 priests and a Marist Brother: 18 altogether. (For the whole Fijian Group there were about 600 delegates including our Archbishop Petero Mataca) we stayed in Sefton at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Primary School.

What are the difficulties you faced prior to your travel in Sydney?

We faced alot of difficulties but we were stroing with the hope that the Holy Spirit will look after our difficulites. One example was that one fellow seminarian was informed that his visa to Aussie ‘might not’ come through. we did not make a fuss about it but stuck on to what we were always doing; study, pray, work and play. We did have a special prayer session every evening whereby we recite the rosary – this was part of our preparation. While we were doing ours at the seminary the 39 singers on Ovalau were also doing the same, in other words were doing the spiritual preparation at the same time. Yes we were strong, and then everything else just fell into place – even the visa was already stamped by the relevant authorities and every one was ready to go.

Are there any difficulties that you and other delegates encountered in raising money for the WYD?

Yes, since as seminarians we do not have any source of income so we had to fundraise on our own to be able to attend the WYD08 in Sydney.

Are there any touching stories you might have heard among the Fijian delegates, like one in Solomon Islands who sold coconuts each day just to make it to Sydney?

We do not have any touching stories like that of my Solomon Brother with his coconuts. The only one we’ve got is that one that I had already mentioned about his visa. For us Fijians, anyone who is related to or is part of the Fiji Military Forces cannot enter Australia in any event under any circumstance. My brother seminarian was the youngest of a decorated military officer here and two of his elder brothers were and are soldiers of the FMF. So the Australian Embassy informed us that there is no hope of his visa being accepted. We didn’t lose hope, he didn’t lose hope. We shared our sad situation to nearly all the people we knew and all assured us that they would pray for us and for him. Our plea even reached the coordinator of the International Liturgy Committee group. Our local order of nuns the Sisters of Our Lady of Nazareth unceasingly prayed for him and for the intention of our trip to Australia. Four days before departure we rang the Embassy and they said that the particular visa had already been stamped from a month or so ago. (bluepanjeet’s reaction: Goosebumps… God is indeed awesome!)

What are the little ordinary miracles you have encountered in your stay at Sydney?

The ordinary miracles we encountered everyday involved the sweet smiles and the forever readiness of the volunteers and the citizens of Australia towards us. Most of them do not know where fiji is on the world map.. so?people just went out of their way to make things easy for us. A family even gave up their garage for us to sleep in as we waited for the accommodation site to open. All 18 of us fitted into that garage. That same family accepted us back after the Papal Mass as we waited for our plane to come back to Fiji. The family looked after us so well our seminary now has a relationship with the family of Mesake Mar, for they are now our family there in Australia.

Did you encounter any difficulties in dealing with other delegates from other countries or where they generally kind and brotherly?

we didn’t face any difficulties with anyone only some mixed feelings from some people who were taken back when they realized we were seminarians. They may have seen a Fijian priest but haven’t heard or seen a Fijian seminarian. (“?can anything good come from?..? “) otherwise were treated kindly and brotherly like any other pilgrim at the WYD08 in Sydney.

What was your feeling when you saw Pope Benedict? is it the same feeling like seeing Pope John Paul II wherein you are moved to tears?

I saw him and he was watching me and the others, our eyes met and the next thing he did was smile. That smile was worth all the pictures; it was the smile of a father to his son. I smiled back to my father with tears rolling down my dark brown cheeks ?.

Which part of the final mass, which touched you and almost made you cry, as what others also experienced in the final mass

When the Holy Father stood up from where he was seated and walked towards a young man on wheelchair who was part of the offertory procession. That was touching ? the Holy Father moving towards a gift bearer to receive the gift he has ? it was his helplessness. He was bringing himself, and I think that was so beautiful. All the others had something in their hands but this young fellow brought the most precious gift of all, humanity.

What is the impact of WYD to you as a seminarian? Will it bring many changes to your life as a seminarian?’

As a seminarian the impact is that now a lot is demanded of me because of my experience. Yes brother I believe that it would bring about changes in my life as a seminarian changes that will enhance and move me towards a deeper love for the vocation I have now come to hold as my own.

What do you think will be your role in your community, not only in the seminary, after this world youth day?

I learned a lot from the international liturgy coordinator, (Sr Anna Wray OP, from Tennessee America) in terms of organization. I think I might be called upon to organize things and I feel as responsible as any other seminarian would also do.

What are your wishes for the Catholic Church in Fiji?

that all families re-teach (teach) and revise (advise) the Catholic Catechism within families.

If there is any message that you will bring to the young people of Fiji from WYD, what will it be?

Listen to your elders, assist them and love them

If you were to be asked, what can you tell the non-Catholics, of what WYD is all about for you?

for me WYD is all about being alive in the faith not only as a Catholic but as a Christian. WYD some say is a Catholic thing, I would expand it by saying the meaning of Catholic is universal, so WYD is for all of us in the universe, Catholic or not, Christian or not encompassing all creatures. It is only organized by the Catholic church. so you are most welcome to join us as witnesses together that there is a Divine being present among us empowering us, protecting us, guiding us.

If given the opportunity, will you still go to the next WYD 2011 in Madrid?

Of course my brother I would be most happy to attend the next one in Madrid, hopefully I would be in year seven by then.

What is your message to the young people all over the world?

God loves you, love him, love others and look after yourself.

Vinaka (thank you in my language)

Seminarian Inia Tikolutu
Diocesan College
St Peter Channel Pacific Regional Seminary
Archdiocese of Suva – Fiji Islands

*Morsels: Isn’t it a shame that most of us Filipinos, living here in the only Catholic Country which is the Philippines and the cradle of Christianity in Asia Pacific, take our faith for granted, while our brothers and sisters from non-catholic countries are so proud of their faith and living it fully and devoutly? Why, even some of us are ashamed of the simple sign of the Cross in public places, yet Fijians showed us that our faith is so worthy to be proclaimed and be proud of. Just something to ponder upon.

* * * * * ADDENDUM * * * * *

The song that you hear is an actual recording of the Gospel Acclamation chant from the live telecast during the World Youth Day Final Mass in Sydney on July 20, 2008. The strange thing about my recording of this MP3 is that it is almost like the song was recorded on a studio. The fact that there were no audio interference of any sort in the recording just proves that the entire 500,000 people that filled the Randwick Racecourse were quietly contemplating on the song and watching the dance performed by the young people from Fiji. A very unique solemn Gospel Acclamation that we have never seen nor experienced before. Below is the actual Lyrics of the song provided by no other than Brother Inia including the official English translation (just proves to the critics that it was not any incantation or voodoo non-sense of sort). If you want to have a copy of the MP3, just leave a comment below with your valid email address and I will gladly send them to you. If you cannot hear the song above, probably you are using Internet Explorer. This blog is best viewed and heard using Firefox Browser.

“Vavakoso ni Kalou bula”
Fijian Gospel Procession For World Youth Day 2008
Written and composed by
Fr Leone Raselala, Fr Veremo Dovarua and Elima Tikolutu.
(In Fijian)

Vavakoso ni Kalou bula
Vakatudaliga mai ki uluda
Nai tukutuku vinaka sa vura
Sa mai noda na siga nikua
Sa vosa na Kalou levu dina
Vei ira ga na nona tamata
Na vosa oqori sa vosa dina ga ni bula

Na vosa oqori e sa tukuni
Mai na i vakatekivu
E sa tiko na vosa
Yaco me tamata na vosa
Sa mai tiko vei keda

Ko i keda yaduadua
Meda mai rogoci koya
Ka katoni lo e utoda
Na nona yalayal vei keda
Meda yalo dina kece
Ki na nona vosa na Turaga
Sa na dusia ko koya
Na noda gaunisala

Na gaunisala oqori
Ra muria ga na tabu
Ena veigauna kece
Mai na i vakatekivu
E na vei gauna kece
Da muria kece yani
Ki na bula tawacava
Me da veisotari mata
Kei i koya na vosa

Da mai vakalagilagia
Na noda Kalou bula
Sa mai tiko vei keda
Emanueli na yacana
Sa sega ni guilecava
Ira kece na nona tamata
Sa dina ko koya
Nona vosa ni yalayala

Na yalayala oqori
Me vakalagilagi kina
Na Kalou bula
Da mai serekivaki koya
Na nona kaukauwa na nona vosa
Sa na dei kina e na vei gauna

* * * * * * * * * * *

English Translation of Fijian Gospel Procession Acclamation
?People of the Living God – Vavakoso ni Kalou bula?

People of the living God
Prepare to listen to the words of the Good News
That has come from on high
Today it has come to us
For the Lord our God has spoken to all His people
And His words are words of Life

In the beginning was the Word
The Word was with God
And the Word was God
The Word was made flesh
And dwelt amongst us

Each of us must come and to listen to Him
And to keep in our hearts His promise
We must be faithful to the Words of the Lord
As He will direct us on our Way, it is the Way of the Lord

The Holy Ones follow the Way of the Lord
Through all ages, now and for evermore
We should also follow the Way that leads to everlasting life
Where we will meet and see the face of the Word

We Glorify the Living Lord
He dwells amongst us
Emmanuel is His name
And He has not forgotten us His people
For he remains faithful to His promise

With this promise we Glorify the living Lord
We give praise to him
His Words are powerful
In it we are safe and comforted