Viriditas2: Soul Greening
Interviewed by Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OP
Hawaii Catholic Herald
My faith has been a guiding force in my life, thanks to my great-grandparents, who were catechists for the Catholic Church. They instilled the importance of faith in my family, a legacy carried forward by my grandparents.
At 12, I began driving my grandfather to church every Sunday. He was a deeply faithful man, and though he couldn’t drive anymore, he wanted to ensure we still made it to church. That experience left a lasting impression on me, and my faith continues to influence everything I do.
Coming from a big family, where a sense of community is everything, I truly believe that it takes a village to raise a person. When I left Long Beach (California), where I am originally from, to come to Chaminade University, so far away from home without knowing anyone here, I was determined to build my own community — a family away from family.
As a third-year student at Chaminade University, majoring in community and public health, I make it a point to get involved in various activities. Being here is not just about my personal growth but also about helping others feel welcome and creating a sense of belonging for all.
In campus ministry, I serve as a scheduled lector every Sunday Mass at 6:30 p.m. I also volunteer to assist at other school Masses and at off-campus ministry events.
In my role as a resident assistant, I tell my residents, “This might not be your home, but it’s my job to make it a safe and welcoming home away from home.” Through events and personal connections, I work hard to create a supportive community for everyone I interact with.
As an RA, I’m required to host collaborative events. Through my work with campus ministry, I reached out to campus clubs and invited them to join in praying together an international rosary which I called “Prayers of the Pacific.”
We alternated between English and other languages — Hawaiian, Chamorro, Tagalog, Tongan, Samoan, Ilocano and English — in saying the Hail Mary. Although some Micronesian cultures lacked translated prayers, they eagerly participated in English, showcasing their desire to join. (For example, in Kosrae, the Catholic Mass is celebrated in English.)
“Prayers of the Pacific” celebrated our identity as a small island community, uniting us through faith and diverse cultural voices. We are a small island located in the Pacific, but the prayers were coming from the Pacific and were of Pacific origin.
When challenges arise in life, there is a saying that I repeat: “Even though there are rough and winding roads in life, God will always provide the shoes to walk them.” This reminds me that no matter what challenges I face, God’s love and provision are always there.
Prayer, too, is a powerful part of my faith. When people tell me they don’t know how to pray, I reassure them. I say, “Just talk to God. Even a simple ‘Thank you’ is enough. As long as you acknowledge God, you’re on the right path. Your belief will guide you back to where you need to be.”
Nathaniel Leomiti is a student at Chaminade University of Honolulu.
