Saint Pierre Chanel was a Marist missionary who landed on Futuna in November 1837 and was killed there on 28 April 1841; he was canonised in 1954 and is described as the first martyr and patron saint of Oceania. His relics rest in the basilica at Poi, and pilgrims gather there every 28 April.
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Saint Pierre Chanel on Futuna: Poi Basilica and Pilgrimage
Saint Pierre Chanel on Futuna: who he was, the Poi basilica holding his relics, the 28 April pilgrimage and respectful visiting.
01
Who Pierre Chanel was
If you are researching Pierre Chanel on Futuna (saint Pierre Chanel Wallis et Futuna), the records give a short biography. He was born on 12 July 1803 near Montrevel-en-Bresse and ordained on 15 July 1827. Bishop Pompallier sailed from Le Havre on 24 December 1836 with Marist missionaries, among them Chanel.
Chanel landed on Futuna in November 1837 with a brother and an Englishman, Thomas Boag. A cross at Leava marks the place where he landed.
02
The mission, the king and the 1841 killing
Niuliki, king of Alo, first welcomed the mission and later opposed it, fearing loss of authority. On 10 August 1839 the Vai war saw Alo defeat Sigave with guns traded from a whaler, and Chanel tended the wounded; Vainui black-sand beach is the site of that war.
Chanel was killed on 28 April 1841 by Musumusu, a warrior linked to the king's family. Musumusu later converted and asked to be buried outside the church at Poi, so that those venerating Chanel would walk over his grave.
03
From beatification to the relics' return
Chanel was beatified on 17 November 1889 and canonised on 12 June 1954. He is described as the first martyr and patron saint of Oceania.
His relics reached Lyon on 1 June 1850 and returned to Futuna in 1977, with his skull following in 1985. Today the Poi basilica holds two silver reliquaries with his skull and bones.
04
The Poi sanctuary today
The basilica at Poi on Futuna holds Chanel's relics and is where worshippers go on 28 April. If you want a viewpoint, the Mataki'Uvea lookout on Futuna looks over the ocean and the Poi basilica.
Futuna's roads are poorer than those on Wallis, with dirt roads to key sites, and there is no public transport, so plan how you will reach Poi before you go. Futuna's airport is at Pointe Vele.
05
The 28 April pilgrimage
28 April, the anniversary of Chanel's death, is marked by pilgrimage; worshippers from across the Pacific go to Poi. It is a public holiday in the territory. The tourism office head estimates about 1,000 pilgrims come around that date, and says at least 30% of tourists are Catholic pilgrims. Extra inter-island flights are added.
If you want to come, book flights and rooms early, and remember the number of rooms on Futuna is small: the board lists two hotels, a guesthouse and a few homestays.
06
Other Chanel and pilgrimage dates
On Wallis there is a pilgrimage at the Chanel chapel on Mont Mauga (Kolopopo) every 28 August. On Alofi, the Loka Cave pilgrimage is on 11 February, and the cave is a source of fresh water, blessed in December 1952.
Any major religious feast follows a pattern of mass, then kava, then katoaga gift-sharing, then dances.
07
Visiting with respect
Remove hats in churches and dress appropriately. Guide advice, which should be confirmed locally, is to cover shoulders and knees at church and to cover swimwear near villages. Feast days and large occasions always include mass, so expect services to take priority over sightseeing.
For advice on customs, the board suggests asking the Territorial Department of Cultural Affairs. If you plan to photograph people, ask first; photography is often prohibited at traditional ceremonies, according to a local guide that also needs checking on the spot.
Questions people ask.
- Who was Saint Pierre Chanel?
- A French Marist missionary born in 1803 who landed on Futuna in November 1837 and was killed there on 28 April 1841. He was canonised on 12 June 1954 and is described as the first martyr and patron saint of Oceania.
- Where are Saint Pierre Chanel's relics?
- In the basilica at Poi on Futuna, which holds two silver reliquaries with his skull and bones. The relics returned to Futuna in 1977, and his skull in 1985.
- When is the Chanel pilgrimage in Futuna?
- 28 April, his feast day and a public holiday in the territory. The tourism office head estimates about 1,000 pilgrims attend, and there is a second Chanel pilgrimage on Mont Mauga, Wallis, on 28 August.
- Can visitors enter the Poi basilica?
- The board lists a viewpoint over the Poi basilica among Futuna's sights. We have no opening hours in our records, so confirm with the Tourist Office and dress respectfully.
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