The reception of Sr Rafaraonisoa Blandine, the new provincial of Madagascar - Province "Mary source of Life" - was made at the provincial house of Antananarivo on August 6, 2021. It will be for a period of six years.

"Like Marie-Dominique, I feel fragile and unable to face the service entrusted to me, but I count on the grace of the Lord and on the support of each of you. I thank the Lord and the Instituto for their trust. "

After thirty-six years of presence in Madagascar; the Province Mary source of life is delighted to receive a Malagasy provincial.

Several gestures marked this event, starting with a Eucharistic celebration presided over by Reverend Father Innocent Bizimana, Provincial of the Salesians of Don Bosco in Madagascar and concelebrated by his vicar, Father Graziano. During Mass, Sr Bernadette Chongo, the outgoing Provincial read the official nomination of the new Provincial coming from Mother General Mother Yvonne Reungoat and her council.

The appointment was followed by the handing over of the bible and the book of constitutions. Sister Bernadette recalled that these are the means which, according to Don Bosco and Marie-Dominique Mazzarello, guarantee us the path to holiness. The register of all the sisters was also given to her, symbol of the handing over to Sr. Rafaraonisoa of all the sisters, with the complex realities of each.

After mass, the sisters welcomed Sr. Fara in front of the door of the provincial house through the speech of Sr. Bernadette who accompanied her to her new office. Before entering, the director of the community of Port Berger offered her a key, expressing that "the key is a symbol that the door to her office can be opened for each of the sisters at any time."

Two other signs were offered at this stage: honey and mat. Honey is a wish that life will always be sweet even in the face of difficulties, and that despite the difficulties, it can stand up thanks to the sweetness. The mat is the sign of a place of accompaniment, a place of meeting, listening and availability to welcome all that life presents.

The last stage took place in the chapel where he received a wreath of flowers and a book containing the wishes of all the sisters, as a sign of welcome.

Sr Rafaraonisoa gave her first speech, she thanked for the trust placed in her and for this moment of welcome full of symbols and deep meanings. She also expressed her desire to be the animator of the province with the collaboration of all the sisters; and the example of Mother Mazzarello.

At the end of the afternoon the sisters got ready to make a clip on the institute's 150th anniversary international anthem.

It is a great unforgettable day: welcoming the first Malagasy provincial, fruit of the Salesian mission and charism.