21 August - Victoire Rasoamanarivo, a Malagasy laywoman, born in Antananarivo in 1848, she is the daughter of Rainandriantsilavo and Rambahinoro. She converted to Christianity at the age of 15 and asked for baptism, which was given to her on November 1, 1863.
She made her First Communion on January 17, 1864 and received the Sacrament of Confirmation on September 11, 1864. On 13 May 1864 she married Radriaka (son of the Prime Minister); the marriage was celebrated at about 10 pm by Father Finaz. On September 6, 1876, Victoire became the founding president of the ZMM (Zanak'i Masina Maria or Daughters of the Blessed Virgin).
When in 1883 the Catholic missionaries were expelled from Madagascar because of the Franco-Malagasy war, she continued to devote herself to the poor and the lepers and helped to keep the faith alive. Victoire and Brother Raphaël Louis Rafiringa took care of the Catholic Church.
She was a heroic example of fidelity in marriage, for despite her husband's attitude, which led a promiscuous life and made her unhappy, she remained faithful to him and even managed to baptize him on March 14, 1888, on his deathbed.
On August 21, 1894, Victoire died of a serious illness. She was buried four days later in Rainiharo's tomb. Victoire's remains were first transferred to the Missionaries' tomb in Ambohipo in September 1961. Then, on August 22, 1993, her remains were transferred to Andohalo Chapel. Victoire Rasoamanarivo was beatified by Pope John Paul II on 30 April 1989 in Antananarivo.
