On 20 August 2023, Brother Razafimandimby Michel Fabrice took his perpetual vows in Fianarantsoa. The mass was presided over by Father Bizimana Innocent, Provincial of the Vice-Province of Madagascar and Mauritius.
Saint Paul, before he became an apostle of Jesus, was famous for persecuting the believers around Jerusalem. He had a burning enthusiasm for hunting down the Lord's disciples. Despite his hostile behaviour, the Lord chose him to proclaim his Gospel to his followers, so that they might witness his resurrection. From this perspective, Jesus never ceases to transform and transfigure us during the adventure we are going through on this earth. He has called us at every moment to become good instruments for him. In the same way, if we are weak and imperfect, God never ceases to call us, to choose us and send us out to make his name known to non-Jews, kings and Israelites. It is in this way that Brother Fabrice, who took his perpetual vows on 20 August 2023, and the 17 novices who made their first profession on 8 September 2023, are convinced that they are offering their whole lives for the Lord, choosing as their motto the words of Jesus to Ananias during Saul's journey to Damascus: "This man is an instrument that I have chosen" (Acts 9:15).
In fact, the evening before, during Brother Fabrice's testimony, he challenged us that religious life is not a career, nor is it a point of arrival but a life to be lived, it is the beginning of consecrated life even if it is very difficult to live. God has intervened in our lives through his infinite grace in the face of the various problems that have arisen. Brother Fabrice received this grace, which led him to follow Jesus Christ more closely. In fact, Jesus himself taught us that we have received grace freely, so we in turn must offer it freely. With this in mind, the Salesian novices made their first profession on 8 September 2023, also choosing the same motto as Brother Fabrice. It is a great joy for the Salesian congregation to receive 17 novices. During the homily given by Father Bizimana Innocent, Provincial of the Salesian Congregation in Madagascar and Mauritius, at the Eucharistic celebration, he left some strong messages for the new confreres, saying: "We must not be over-confident, because religious life is not a goal, it is only the beginning of our consecration to the Lord". Let us therefore ask the intercession and intervention of the Blessed Virgin for our religious consecration as Salesians of Don Bosco.
