Bula Brothers!

Bula Brothers! (Pronounced: Boo-law/Hello in Fijian) I hope this article finds you all well. My name is Brother Marc Roque, I am a professed religious brother for the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary (SSCC) who is studying for the Catholic Priesthood in the beautiful islands of Fiji. I am also a 4th Degree Knight of the Knights of Columbus who belongs to Council #15262 - Father Robert Maher - St. Joseph Catholic Church, in Edinburg, Texas (Rio Grande Valley).

I graduated from Robert Vela High School in 2014 and I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science (2016) and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration (2017) from The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. I was very close to going to law school and entering political life after completing my Master’s Degree, but I decided that was not my calling. Instead, I decided to say Yes to religious life. All my life, I have always been active at my local parish. I have been an Altar Server, an Assistant Catechist for Confirmation Students, a Eucharistic Minister, a Fourth Degree Knight of the Knights of Columbus, a Life Teen Core Member, and a Rosary Maker.

Since I was a young kid, I have always had that passion to serve and to help others. Saying Yes to the religious life was not part of my original plan, but the Call intensified since graduating High School and I felt now was the right time to “give in” and answer the Call that is coming out from my heart. I give thanks to the Knights of Columbus for helping me answer the call to discern for the Catholic Priesthood. Through my participation with my Brother Knights and taking our core principles of charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism to heart at my local parish and council, I fell in love with the Church and by being a servant for the people of God.

So, in January 2020, I joined the Congregation of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary and of the Perpetual Adoration of the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar (SS.CC.). Our religious order is currently present in 4 U.S. states: Massachusetts, Texas, California, and Hawaii. After completing my postulancy year in 2020, I went on to go to Novitiate in 2021. And on December 12, 2021, The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, I proclaimed my temporary vows to my religious order. The main thing that drew me to the Sacred Hearts was our charism, which is to contemplate, live, and proclaim God’s love through the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. To promote love is something that I always hold near and dear to my heart. Because when we love one another, we can rest assured that God is present.

Early this year in February 2022, I arrived here in Fiji to begin Seminary. The reason my religious order is here in Fiji, is because of our commitment to humility and the missionary lifestyle. I am truly blessed that the next 7 years of my life will be here in Fiji, going to school and ministering in parishes and in the villages. The Fijian people are very welcoming and a God-fearing people. But once I do get ordained, my first assignment will be back in the United States.

Currently, I am now finishing up my 2nd Semester of the year as a seminarian here at Pacific Regional Seminary in Suva, Fiji. I am classified as a Year 1 Seminarian. Please know that I am making a lot of friends here at the Seminary…in fact my classmates have elected me to be their Year 1 Class President earlier this year and I have also been elected by my fellow American Seminarians to be their President of the American Delegation here at our Seminary. I am truly blessed to be a servant to my classmates and I hope I do a great job representing my Class and the American Delegation to the Administration and Staff.

On a side note, I do ask for your help my Brother Knights. As mentioned earlier, I am a rosary maker. Since November 2019, I have made over 3,200 rosaries that have been sent all throughout the Rio Grande Valley, Texas, California, Hawaii, Mexico, and India. These rosaries have made their way in parishes, schools, nursing homes, hospitals, and in the hands of migrants. Before I left Texas, I decided to bring my rosary-making ministry here to Fiji. After four months of being here, I realized that the need for rosaries is dire, not only here in Fiji, but all over the South Pacific.

Since arriving in Fiji, I have made an additional 600 rosaries that have now been distributed in parishes and in the villages all across Fiji, Tonga, Kiribati, and Papua New Guinea and my rosary supplies are starting to run out. The cost of these supplies is something I can no longer afford and I hope you can help me in any way to bring much needed rosary supplies here to Fiji. Currently, 1 box of supplies (which will make about 300 rosaries) costs $175 to be delivered here. The shipping is what makes the shipment very expensive. Please know that any donation, big or small, will make a difference.

Once again, thank you for all your prayers and support towards seminarians like myself. It is through your prayers, support, and love where we as seminarians get our energy from. If you ever need anything or have any questions about my religious order or my rosary-making ministry, please feel free to let me know. My email is marc.roque01@gmail.comVinaka Brothers! (Pronounced: V-nah-kah/Thank you in Fijian) Vivat Jesus!