My name is RAZAFIMAHATRATRA Fanomezantsoa Hery Tiana, a scholastic of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate from the Delegation of Madagascar, under the leadership of the Reverend Fr. Superior RAKOTONDRAVELO Philibert Alphonse, OMI. I am from Moramanga and currently pursuing my studies in the Oblate Province of Cameroon, under the authority of Reverend Fr. Ferdinand Owono Ndih, OMI. I am an active member of the OMI community at the Yves Plumey Consolidated Scholasticate in Yaoundé, led by the Reverend Fr. Superior RAYMOND PIERRE Nani, OMI. I am in my second year of theology at the Catholic University of Central Africa in Yaoundé. It is with great joy that I share with you my missionary experience in this land of mission. I will begin by addressing the community, spiritual, and pastoral aspects, concluding with the academic dimension.

Community life

I continually give thanks to God for this opportunity to live in an international community. This community is composed of members from nine different countries within the Africa-Madagascar region. Honestly, I truly feel at home among my brothers. This is considered an invaluable advantage: encountering new and very unique cultures, various languages, admirable mentalities, and individuals with diverse talents. Indeed, as individuals, each one brings their own flavor to this strengthened family. This greatly fosters and enriches the communal aspect. On the level of prayer, cultural diversity positively enhances the liturgy. Cameroonians and members from many other nationalities sing in Malagasy. This demonstrates openness and love for community life. During our communal recreations, joy and fraternity fill the recreational space with beauty. Moved by mutual support, we help one another as Christ calls us to, as stated in our Constitutions and Rules, No. 39: "In the mutual sharing of who we are and what we have, we find welcome and support..." We are brothers both in times of joy and in times of distress. Sincerely, for me, community life is an excellent environment for the growth of every person and of all humanity.

Spiritual and Pastoral Life

A few weeks after my arrival at the scholasticate, I was sent on an internship with the aim of improving my French language skills and deepening my pastoral experience. I was assigned to Saint Paul Parish in DJOHONG, a beautiful small town in the Adamawa Region, within the Diocese of N’Gaoundéré. It was in this more or less Muslim small area that I enjoyed my first mission in Cameroon. During my internship, I had the privilege of working with several parish groups, such as altar servers, Catholic women, COP-Mondes, and others. It was a blessing for me to carry out my ministry in various sectors of the village. The faithful are truly welcoming and dynamic, open, and trusting. The pastoral ministry of listening and proximity, sharing the Word of God, catechesis, ecumenism, prison ministry, and visiting the sick were the main activities during my internship in Djohong and N’Gaoundéré. That year left an indelible mark on my life as a missionary. It was a time when I came to understand the urgent needs of the Church today, especially in marginalized communities. Moreover, I witnessed the deep thirst for the Word of God in this overlooked area, the importance of listening, the value of relationships with other religions, and the power of joy and a smile. I can say that mission work is the ultimate test that evaluates everything we have gained from our studies. It was an unforgettable experience for me.

Academic Life

The various internships I have undertaken have helped me understand the importance and purpose of academic studies. Since we are called to proclaim, assist, and accompany the people of God, we need intellectual resources. Through my pastoral experiences, I have come to realize that all the knowledge we acquire in the faculty is essential for the mission. Let’s take an example: as pastors and agents of development, we are called to help lead all of God’s children out of various impasses—be it material, intellectual, spiritual, or moral poverty.

To do so, we must at least have a grasp of certain languages, Sacred Scripture, economic and developmental pastoral care, moral and spiritual theology, anthropology, and spirituality. As Pope Francis says in Laudato Si’, “Everything is interconnected.” In short, while it is true that academic studies contribute to the realization and flourishing of our being, they also, and above all, prepare us for the mission of the Church. Based on my modest experience, academic life is fundamental to our formation.

To conclude, I would like to thank my Delegation for giving me the opportunity to experience this wonderful missionary adventure. I also extend my gratitude to all those who, directly or indirectly, support me through our Delegation. I encourage all my brothers in formation to give their best in every area-community life, spiritual life, and academics alike. We do all these things for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

Sco. Hery Tiana