The annual White Sunday celebration coupled with the Monday federal and local holiday (Discoverers’ Day), adds up to a three-day weekend, and a busy one at that, as residents gear up for Sunday, dedicated to the children of American Samoa.

Introduced in the islands by Christian missionaries in the 1800s, White Sunday has become a special holiday, with children being treated to the best — from White Sunday outfits to food served during family toanai. It is always celebrated on the second Sunday of October.

In his annual White Sunday message, Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga said, “White Sunday is a special day in the territory and the excitement of this exceptional day started weeks before, “as our children and youth fill the churches with songs, memory versus, scriptural readings and skits as they prepare to provide this special Sunday’s church program.”

“While White Sunday may be considered the only day of the year dedicated towards our children and youth, we also acknowledge that our precious children are loved and cared for throughout the year,” he said.

While American Samoa and other parts of the world experience abuse and neglect to children, “let us be forever vigilant in ensuring the safety, protection, and well-being of each child in our families,” he said.

Traffic today and tomorrow is expected to give many motorists headaches, especially in the areas of Laufou Shopping Center and downtown Fagatogo. Some shoppers opted to carry out this faithful duty beginning late last week so they would not be caught in traffic.

Police are beefing up road patrols today and tomorrow because of expected traffic congestion and are calling on drivers to watch out for pedestrians, especially young children. Police also urge parents to keep a close watch on their kids while out White Sunday shopping.

A check of local stores, bakeries and other merchants since early this week found that local businesses are prepared for White Sunday shopping from clothes to food and beverages. Lots of ice cream, in a variety of flavors is available in stores, as well as cakes and pies from local bakeries. (See today’s Samoa News advertising for local stores offering White Sunday specials.)

The Congregational Christian Church of American Samoa and the Methodist faith lavishly celebrate White Sunday, and in past years it has spread to other faiths, although to a smaller degree. The Tongan community here will also be holding White Sunday services. Tonga and Samoa— on the other side of the International Dateline — will hold their White Sunday celebration tomorrow, which is their Sunday.

A new twist on White Sunday services is being celebrated by the Manumalo Baptist Church, which is supplying its children-members with white T-shirts for the celebrations. According to church official,  Papalii Laulii Alofa, the goal of the 'freebie' is to change the 'landscape' and feel of White Sunday, so everyone — even parents — can enjoy the occasion without having to stress out about having to buy expensive white dresses for girls and suits for boys, things that they will most likely wear only one time. (See photo and caption elsewhere in today’s paper for further details of the church’s “economic” help to its parishioners.)

White Sunday is also celebrated in other parts of the world where Samoan communities are located, such as Honolulu, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Fort Hood (Texas), New Zealand and Australia.

On Monday, a federal holiday, the local government will be closed along with the majority of businesses in the territory, including the banks, and the canneries. The U.S. Post Office and all federal offices here and in the U.S. will also be closed.

Neil’s ACE Home Center in Malaeimi is holding on Monday a Columbus Day Sale from 8a.m. to 12noon (See advertisement printed elsewhere in today’s edition.)

With the long three-day weekend, reports out of the airport say flights to Apia are busy. Many cannery workers are heading to Samoa for White Sunday.

In honor of White Sunday and Discoverers’ Day, the Samoa News will not publish on Monday but will return on Tuesday.

Samoa News staff and management wish all the children of the world a day, such as our White Sunday, filled with special moments of loving-kindness, celebrating our children as gifts of God.

Have a happy and safe “Lotu Tamaiti” American Samoa.