My name is Mark H. Makasini. I am 45 years old, and I am from the South Pacific. I am a proud Tongan. I am the third youngest of nine siblings—eight brothers and one sister. I grew up in Tonga, where I attended primary school and, of course, secondary school before migrating to New Zealand.

I grew up in a very Catholic-oriented family and was introduced to Christianity within the Catholic Church at a very young age.

At a young age, I was always fascinated by how priests work—the way they dressed and how they conducted their daily routine. I always attended Sunday Masses, and I attended a Catholic secondary school. I guess my call really began at a young age.

While I was in New Zealand, after more than 20 years since leaving school, I felt that God was still calling me. Everywhere I went, there seemed to be something that I knew for sure—that God was directing me somewhere or toward something. But I tried my best to ignore it.

I tried to follow my passion, which is opera singing, but it did not work out. My dad was a musician, and almost all my brothers were drawn to music as a hobby from a young age too.

At some stage, I decided that I was going to leave for Australia just for a better life, or so I thought. On the other hand, I tried to get rid of this whispering in my ears that had been ringing for years.

In 2023, I met a priest in New Zealand, and he told me about SSCC (the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Congregation). I was interested, and here I am in 2026. I was professed on the 31st of January 2026, and I am glad that I finally answered His call after so many years.

I am grateful and blessed to be a member of the SSCC and to journey together with the brothers here in the Fiji formation house toward the priesthood.