St Francis Xavier Church, Ra
The Church of St Francis Xavier is a popular tourist attraction for its mural of a black Christ which blends Christian motifs with elements of Fijian tradition and culture.
Last updated on 19 May 2024
Timeline
1889
Marist missionaries arrive in the area and attempt to convert the local people to Catholicism.
1895
The original Naiserelagi Catholic Mission site was shifted to its present location.
1917
The Church at Navuibutu was officially dedicated in 1917.
1962
Jean Charlot painted the mural of a black Christ at the invitation of Monsignor Franz Wasner when he was caretaker of the mission. The mural consists of three panels and is composed in fresco style by painting on top of wet plaster.
The central image of the mural shows a black Christ on the cross wearing masi cloth and with a tanoa at his feet. There are also other symbolic Fijian elements included in the mural:
Breadfruit (uto, which also translates as “heart”)
A Fijian man offering a tabua (whale’s tooth)
A Fijian woman offering fine mats
An Indian woman offering a garland of flowers
An Indian farmer with a pair of oxen
A child in a mission school uniform
Father Petero Mataca, the first Fijian Catholic priest
St Peter Chanel, a martyred Saint who died in Futuna in 1841
Saint Francis Zavier, the patron saint of India and of the Navuibutu Church
References
n.d., Church of the Black Christ, https://suncoastfiji.org/activities/church-black-christ/
South Pacific Holidays, 2014, The Church of Saint Francis Xavier, http://www.tropicalfiji.com/sights_and_activities/scenic_highlights/church/