The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1920-05-08
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death feast, but the people here being
of a practical turn of mind, wish their
dead to see what they bring them
and so present their offerings to them
while still in the flesh.
AS soon as the old chief caught
sight of me he came to meet me,
saying, "NOw, Father, as I am dying,
give me the last sacraments. | shall
be ready for them in a few moments"
Saying which, he babe me come into
his house and showed me his coffin,
a strong box some eight feet long
and two and a half feet wide, COW
cred with black satinette, on which
were placed many wreaths, some with
cred and others fresh. There were
also a few cups, a teapot, an old ink
stand and other articles.
Ready for Death.
While examining the coffin the old
man was busy taking off his clothes
and putting on his death robes"
Having dressed himself he placed a
crucifiX upon his breast, stretched
himself out on a mat. folded his
hands, and said, Nov, Father, | am
ready"
But | was not ready to anOint such
a lively patient, and so | told him
to rise and please get me something
10 eat, for | had come a long distance.
He got up, laid aside his burial robes
and ordered food to be prepared.
While We were waiting for it to be
brought in he told me more about his
coffin, of which he was very proud.
Other Fijians are wrapped in a
mat when they are buried said he,
but l shall be laid in a coffin like
a European, and feel | shall be very
comfortable in that fine box. | have
had it for over a month now, and
while waiting for my death, l use it
as a table"
At last the food arrived, some vans.
water cress, prawns, but every
thing looked as dirty as the old woman
who brought it in. and | could eat
very little. Therefore, | prepared a
cup of coffee for myself and partook
of a lunch which | had brought with
me from home. The old chief asked
for some of my coffee, saying that it
was much better for old people than
English tea. | suggested that coffee
was very bad indeed for a dying mar
but he got his cup all the same and
seemed to enjoy it.
After night prayers and catechisn
instruction, in which he took part with
great Zest, we retired for the night
1t was difficult to find a dry spot fol
a bed in that poor house, where the
rain came in through numerous holes
in the roof, and l had to change m,
place several times during the night
Given Last Sacraments.
The next morning I said Mass a
which the old chief made a genera
confession and received Holy Com
munion. When | was about to leav,
he begged me again to give him thu
last sacramento, and as | knew i
would be impossible for me to com,
to this out-of-the-way village again TO
some time, I thought it as we'll t,
crafty h old mans wish. So h,
clothed himself again and | a%nointe,
him, much to his satisfaction.
About four months after this a Wis
iting catechist brought me news O
the death of the old chief, Rat
Suliano. He had a great funeral, al
the people from the %surroundin;
towns coming to do him honor. The.
would have sent for me to be presen
at the funeral, but the sea was S
rough that they knew it would be i'm
possible for me to reach there, so tn
catechist took charge of the services
Thus passed away Ratu Suliant
once a powerful. man in his tribe, RI
spected by everybody, but forsaken b
all in his old age. He had Away
been a staunch Catholic, neve
ashamed of his faith, although SUI
rounded by Wesleyans and heather.
, Nav he roct in poooaf