As Fijians prepare to welcome 2026, Archbishop Peter Loy Chong is urging everyone to pause for a moment of quiet reflection, reminding them that no one enters the New Year truly alone.
In a New Year message released by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Suva, the Archbishop encouraged people to spend ten minutes reviewing the past year with honesty, gratitude, and hope.
Drawing on the Ignatian Examen, a centuries-old Christian practice of reflection, he described it as a “spiritual year-end review” that allows people to see their lives through God’s eyes.
“As the clock ticks toward midnight, the world gets loud. But what if, before the noise, you gave yourself one priceless gift: ten quiet minutes to review your year with honesty, gratitude, and hope?” Archbishop Chong said.
The Archbishop emphasised starting with presence, rather than pressure, reminding people that simply making it through the year is an achievement in itself.
“You’ve been carried through days you thought you couldn’t handle. You weren’t as alone as you felt,” he said.
He urged Fijians to identify specific blessings — a friend’s phone call, a child’s hug, a conversation that lifted the spirit, or a simple moment of beauty — noting that gratitude can reshape the story of a year from “It was all hard” to “Even in the hard, I was blessed.”
Archbishop Chong also called for deeper reflection, asking individuals to consider when they felt most alive, when they drifted into bitterness or fear, and which choices helped them grow in generosity, courage, and love.
“Your year holds data about your soul — what helps you flourish, and what holds you back,” he said.
He reminded people to acknowledge failures without quitting on themselves.
“No mistake is the final word — God’s mercy is. Even if you don’t use religious language, you can still decide: ‘This is not where my story ends,’” he said.
Archbishop Chong encouraged Fijians to move into 2026 with clear, simple intentions rather than long lists of resolutions. These could include being more present at home, dedicating a few minutes to daily reflection or prayer, seeking help for harmful habits, or repairing strained relationships.
“You don’t walk into the new year alone,” he said.
“When you embrace your shortcomings and vulnerabilities, you encounter something bigger than yourself — the transformative power of God.”
“This year, don’t just move on alone. Move with God.”
