Born: 17 March 1945 

 Professed: 8th December 1968 

 Deceased: 30 August 2024 

 

“…JOYFULLY GIVEN FOR THE KINGDOM IN THE SPIRIT OF MARY…” (Const. Art.23) 

 

This article of the Constitutions, Art 23, sums up Sr Malia Sofia’s life and often appeared in her songs.   

God blessed ‘Aisea Langi of Felemea, Ha’apai, and ‘Aloisia Kama Langi of Ma’ufanga, Tongatapu, with a baby girl, Tangikina Langi later known as Sr Malia Sofia Langi on the 17th of March 1945.  On the 30st of August 2024 Sr Sofia answered God’s final call at 2.10am at Ma’ufanga Convent, ‘Ahopanilolo.  Sr Sofia had completed her 79 years 5 months and 14 days.   

 

She is from a family of seven children. Sr Sofia’s primary education was with the SMSM at St Joseph’s 

Primary School as well as her secondary education at St Mary’s College, Ma’ufanga, and St Joseph’s College, Nuku’alofa.  Sofia felt God’s call to religious life. She left for the novitiate at Heretaunga, New Zealand, where she made her first profession on the 8th of September 1968. From the first years of her ministry back in Tonga, an important means of sharing God’s love was through music. When teaching 50 active Year 1 pupils she composed catchy tunes for lessons such as the Tongan alphabet and road rules. 

 

Sofia had been well prepared to serve in the mission. She did her teacher training at Corpus Christi Teacher’s College in Fiji, studied at Chanel Institute, Auckland, New Zealand.  In the University of the South Pacific she studied for her Bachelor of Education in Home Economics. During her 56 years as a Missionary Marist Sister, Sofia was sent to serve in various areas in her home country and abroad. She taught in the islands of Niuatoputapu and Vava’u, then was principal of ‘Ahopanilolo Technical School at Ma’ufanga.  

 

Sr Sofia had few years of compassionate leave to take care of her sick father in California, America. While there she did pastoral ministry among Tongans. Her love and talents for music attracted children and young people. Sofia shared her skill by teaching them how to play the piano and guitar.  

 

From 1999-2007 Sofia was missioned to Jamaica, engaged in pastoral ministry. Many sisters know Sofia for her service to the people of Jamaica and the United States where she left lasting imprints by her joyfulness, kindness, gentleness, and her gift of music. She used her talent to extend the reign of God. Sofia brought great joy to many people wherever she served in mission. Another sister expressed “my first image of hearing of her death was seeing her with the angelic choir playing her guitar and singing praises to God”. 

 

In 2008 she returned to Tonga, on compassionate leave, to help with her sick brother and family. Unfortunately, she had a stroke in 2009. She went to New Zealand for medical treatment and, returning to Tonga stayed at Fasi’s community until she needed more care. She joined the Ma’ufanga community in 2011 till God called her. 

God blessed Sr Sofia with many talents and gifts.  Two of them should be given special attention, namely, Sr Sofia was a person who was extremely approachable.  She radiated joyful hospitality which enabled everyone to be attracted to her.  One of her ex-students recounted a story of how popular Sr Sofia’s religious education class was, that many students from other denominations attended her classes instead of their own.  I am sure that all of us know why.  Sr Sofia’s smiling face, guitar and voice all contributed to her popularity. 

 

Secondly, Sr Sofia was extremely gifted with music.  Many people witnessed and still talk about her unique and distinctive voice.  Sofia, not only sang, played the guitar, piano and keyboard, but she also composed songs and hymns.  We can hear these here in Tonga as well as abroad in liturgies and other prayer gatherings.  Sofia also taught young children how to play guitar, piano and keyboard.  Many of the mothers are grateful and still talk about how Sr Sofia started and encouraged their children in music. Often, they enjoyed recitals.  Again, others said that when Sr Sofia sang, they felt a warmth and an attraction to God. 

 

Sr Sofia used this gift of music very well to draw people to God.  Her voice is still ringing around the world, and I am certain, that its impact is still felt within us all, even though she has gone to God. On one occasion Sr Sofia received a special request from the Vaiola Queen Salote School of Nursing in Tonga to compose a song for the Queen Salote Nurses’s graduation of that year, 1982.   Sr Sofia composed this beautiful and very reflective song “Neke fili au keu hoko ko Ho Nima..” (You have chosen me to be Your Hand) The words and the music really touched the hearts of the patients, nurses and tutors.  Sofia prepared the graduate nurses well and on the night of the graduation she led the graduates by playing the guitar and her beautiful angelic voice. People applauded in admiration of her gift as a composer, musician and her beautiful voice. This one of the many beautiful memories of Sr Sofia, a real gift from God.  

 

Sr Sofia was just an ordinary person like you and me.  She had weaknesses.  One of which was that she could be stubborn at times.  I feel that Sr Sofia knew that her family loved her so much.  It was evident from the many visits they paid her, and every time they came, they always brought something.  If Sr Sofia asked for any service from them, you can be sure, they would be there in full force to do it.  One of her nephews said, “Sr Sofia is the queen of our family.” 

Secondly, Sr Sofia found it difficult to be on time.  If there was a function that the community was to attend, everyone would be ready except Sofia.  And when she confronted, Sofia would tell stories and laugh it off, and everyone would have no choice but to laugh with her. 

 

But Sofia was prompt when God called her.  Thanks, Sofia, for sharing your gifts of joyful love of God and Mary that came through in your songs with us. May we take them to heart in our journey. Surely you are making music in heaven. With our love and our prayers. May you Rest in Peace. 

 

Sr Sesilia ‘Alamoti

Sr Malia Nive. Kepu.