This year's meeting of religious formators (URF : Union des Religieux Formateurs) was held at Moramanga, at the Carmelite Fathers (ocd) from 04 to 10 of November 2019. The 37 participants came from different male congregations in Madagascar, including the Father Berthin and  Nicolas representing Salesians Don Bosco.

The theme for reflection was:” The challenge of the religious life today”, animated by Father Urbain (sj).  It has been raised that nowadays many religious and priests are changing their focus, that is, instead of attaching themselves to Christ who calls us and is our treasure, most prefer money, power and honour. Therefore, the future of religious life is in danger if we do not become aware of this fact.

We are therefore invited to form the young people well in the different houses of formation. It is also urgent to have well-formed formators. Besides, Father Urbain emphasised on the importance of life witnessing for our example to be credible. It is important to know that religious life is a path that leads us to holiness. The challenges are many and as religious of the contemporary world, each one of us is challenged to “be the salt of the earth and the light of the world” (Cf Mt. 5, 13-14)

 After this training session, the meeting focused mainly on the evaluation of the life of URF, the sharing of news between each congregation and also the renewal of the members of the bureau. Father Rolland (scj - Déhonian) is elected President of the URF for three years. Father Rolland (ms - La Salette) is both Vice-President and Treasurer and Father Jacques Etienne, Secrétaire. We thank the Lord for the smooth running of this meeting. May his name be praised!

 

Message from the Bishops at the end of the Pilgrimage

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, You who have come in such large numbers to take part in this national pilgrimage, as well as all of you who are following it from home through the media. We, the bishops of Madagascar, would like to express our deep gratitude to you for having responded to our invitation and for having brought this jubilee initiated by Pope Francis to life spiritually. With you, we take up Mary's song: ‘My soul exalts the Lord’ and we repeat with her: ‘What shall I repay the Lord for all the good he has done me?’....

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Love and Salvation

Christmas is a great joy, because it is the love of God that has come to us, proclaims Fr. Bizimana Innocent, Provincial Superior of the Salesians Don Bosco of Madagascar and Mauritius, presenting his Christmas greetings. Salvation is accomplished, so life is not in danger of disappearing. It is this love and this salvation that we wish to fill our life so that we have peace.

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Zatti, our brother

The short film "Zatti, our brother" (Argentina, 2020) focuses on one of the most difficult episodes of his life. We are in Viedma, in 1941: at the age of 60, Zatti is forced to leave the hospital he has attended for decades. His faith and strength are tested.

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