A cardinal mass to kick of the graduation and kaipola feasting

Wednesday Day 9
A short little sun shower at breakfast was gentle and cooling as we met at a local cafe to celebrate Sarah – a volunteer’s 30th birthday. In true Tongan style we gave her a pineapple and a block of chocolate from our stash. It was then off to ‘Ahopanilolo for wardrobe consultancy before the celebratory graduation mass at the cathedral… Officiated by the then Bishop Soane Patita Paini Mafi who in January 2015 has been made a new Vatican Cardinal. He skips having to go through the ranks of  archbishop and will head straight to Roma! It is the first time Tonga has had a Cardinal. I wonder if we can have tea with him next time we are near St Peter’s! Parades, dancing, singing and a large kaipola ‘feast’ followed. What one cannot eat from the mountains of food is taken home. We refrained from the latter! The day started at 9.30 and we stumbled home about 4.00pm… It was so joyful and warm and a prelude to a week of feasting.