"You religious are a man of hope and joy. You must always be the salts of the earth," said Bishop Odon Marie Arsène Razanakolona, during the presentation of religious vows held on December 28, 2019, at the Maria Manjaka High School, Andohalo, at the Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny.

This is very important especially in the context of the world and the times in which we live, for many are debasing themselves, especially the young. This is very important especially in the context of the world.

Religious are the collaborators of the Bishop in his mission. The commitment of religious with an apostolic vocation, under

the leadership of the bishop is necessary for the mission. Other members of institutes, men or women, who also belong in particular capacity to the diocesan family, also provide valuable assistance to the bishop (Decree on the Pastoral Office of Bishops in the Church, "Christus Dominus", no. 34. The Bishop is the common Parent in a Diocese. The Auxiliary Bishop, if there is one, and the Vicar General also collaborate closely with him. For the Archdiocese of Antananarivo, in particular, there are these three functions: Bishop Odon Marie Arsène Razanakolona, the Archbishop of Antananarivo; Bishop Jean Pascal Andriantsoavina, the Auxiliary Bishop; and Father Ludovic Rabenantoandro.

 In pastoral ministry, the collaboration between the shepherds or pastors and the religious is remarkable in the Diocese of Antananarivo. There are 255 religious communities, which unite in the "Diocesan Union of Religious of Antananarivo" (UDRA), according to the statistics 2018-2019. It can be stressed that all these communities are fulfilling the mission that Christ entrusted to them in this Diocese. Each community works according to its own charism, but also unites itself with other communities in the fact of being religious, that is to say, each one has given his or her life to follow Christ.

This union is led by a steering committee, which animates the federation for three years. Here are the members of the coordinating team for 2019-2022: Salesians of Don Bosco, the first leader supplemented by the Daughters of Charity Sisters; the Servants of the Visitation Sisters and the Redemptorist Fathers, secretaries. The Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Our Lady and the Sisters of St. Teresa of Avesnes are the treasurers.

Traditionally, the UDRA coordinating committee brought together all the members of the religious communities of the Diocese to share the joy, and above all to present their wishes to the ordinary people of the place for the New Year 2020. The day was opened with the celebration of the Eucharist, presided over by Archbishop Odon, Archbishop of Antananarivo, concelebrated with Bishop Jean Pascal, Auxiliary Bishop, and Father Ludovic, Vicar General, as well as all the priests present from various congregations.

During his homily, Bishop Odon highlighted the value of religious life: "You religious are men of hope and joy. You must always be the salt of the earth," he said, "especially in the face of the world and the times in which we live today, because many people are debasing themselves, especially the young. Then he added that the date of 28 December is a special date for him, because it was on 28 December 1975 that he was ordained a priest of Jesus Christ. He asked to pray for himself, that God may always help him in the holy mission he is carrying out, and that he may reach his 45 years of priesthood next year.

The presentation of vows took place at the end of the Mass. Fr. Mamy Augustin Raheriarisoa, SDB spoke on behalf of the UDRA Board of Directors to extend his best wishes to all who came to the meeting, and to wish the New Year 2020 to the five leaders who were also present: Archbishop Odon, Archbishop of Antananarivo; Bishop Jean Pascal, Auxiliary Bishop; and Father Ludovic, Vicar General; Father Jean Romain, Chaplain of Religious in the Diocese; and Father Richard, Second Chaplain of Religious in the Diocese. The celebration is animated by the junior sisters who have prepared choreographies.

 N We thank the Lord because it was thanks to him that this feast went so well. We wish that the prayer of Jesus who said: "That they may all be one" (John 17,21) last. May the religious in this diocese of Antananarivo love each other and be united.

Fr. Mamy, SDB