We give thanks to God for His mercy and all the blessings He grants to each of us (you, our readers; the OMI; the Oblate Lay Associates; benefactors; families; and friends). Our bulletin is a bond that connects us to you and vice versa. It serves as a means to share our reality and our Oblate missionary activities, which we publish in French, English, and Polish.

Yes, much has happened since the release of our last Bulletin. With this current issue, we would like to share three complementary themes with you.

First, we dedicate a significant portion of the bulletin to initial formation in Madagascar. Indeed, we are happy to report that we have many vocations and are even compelled to limit the number of candidates accepted into the prenovitiate, the first stage of initial formation, for various practical reasons. You will read about how our youths have lived or are living their religious lives through oblation: by professing their first religious vows at the end of the novitiate (the second stage of initial formation), by renewing their vows annually at the scholasticate (the third stage of formation), or by definitively giving themselves to God through perpetual vows or perpetual oblation. Two of them, currently in formation abroad, will also share their journeys in their Oblate vocations.

Second, we will share with you a historic and unforgettable event for our Delegation: the transfer of the remains of two fellow oblate, buried in the eastern part of the country (Toamasina), to our Oblate tomb in the south (Fianarantsoa, at the scholasticate). This is a uniquely Malagasy tradition known as Famadihana or exhumation, widely recognized and practiced in many parts of Madagascar.

The annual meeting of superiors and treasurers is also a special event for us, as it is organized to seek the well-being of each member, each community, and the Delegation as a whole, as well as the Church.

We dedicate part of this bulletin to sharing the pastoral life of our Delegation, starting with the new installation and mission in another diocese, that of Mananjary, in September. This is a fundamental decision for our history and mission. In the pastoral domain, some of our confreres will also joyfully and enthusiastically share their recent pastoral experiences, both within the country and abroad.

Finally, we will also tell you about the opening of a new mission in the diocese of Mananjara - MAHAVOKY. This is the mission where the SVD (Verbe Divin) have been working. The official installation of the Oblates took place during the district's annual pilgrimage, always organized on the occasion of the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, on September 8. Two Oblates are currently working thereSociété de  ont travaillé.

Dear Readers, we thank you sincerely for being with us and dedicating your time to reading our sharing in this bulletin. We assure you of our fraternity and prayers.

As the liturgical year comes to an end, meaning we will soon enter the season of Advent, followed by Christmas and the New Year 2025, the OMI Delegation in Madagascar wishes you a blessed journey. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2025 !

May God bless you !

Fr. Alphonse RAKOTONDRAVELO OMI
Superior of the Delegation