Dear Readers,

The Delegation of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate of Madagascar is pleased to meet you with this current newsletter.

Many events have occurred since the last newsletter was published. The pastoral work we do continues as usual; we strive to do our best for the glory of God and the salvation of souls, but we cannot achieve much if God's Providence is not there to accompany us. This providence, which is expressed and manifested in so many ways.

This year, we had the joy of welcoming among us Fr. Asodo HENRICUS OMI, General Assistant for the Formation on February 27 to April 12. Being responsible for the Formation, he prioritized the visit of our three Formation houses, namely the Pre-novitiate, the Novitiate, and the Scholasticate. He met all our young people in initial training in Madagascar. This encounter encouraged them and enriched their sense of oblate religious and missionary life. Fr. Asodo also had the opportunity to meet the majority of the Oblates of the Great Island and to see most of our houses and missions.

Fr. Alphonse Rakotondravelo, Fr. Asodo Henricus, Bp Fulgence Rabemahafaly z Fianarantsoa

On Sunday, April 7, two of our scholastics were ordained deacons, while four deacons were ordained priests. This event took place at Notre Dame de Lourdes (Toamasina, eastern Madagascar); despite his always busy schedule, Cardinal Désiré TSARAHAZANA kindly presided over the Eucharistic celebration of the ordination, which started at 9 a.m. and lasted almost 5 hours, after having celebrated the 6 a.m. Mass at our parish and shrine of the Divine Mercy of St. John the Baptist.

Our Africa-Madagascar Region also had the Joint Session in Senegal, that is, the grand meeting of the General Government and all the Major Superiors and the Superiors of the Missions in each oblate region. It was also an opportunity for Madagascar, being an island, to share with others and to enrich its mission at the regional and international oblate levels.

All this and so much more are graces received from God for our Delegation, indeed for our Congregation, and for the Church.

Dear Readers, by reading our news, you share in our life. Many thanks, and we wish you the best.

Be assured of our brotherhood and our prayers! May God bless you !                                       

Fr. Alphonse RAKOTONDRAVELO, OMI

Superior of the Delegation