On November 19 the Church commemorated world day for the poor. It was also a day on which three Dehonian confreres from the Madagascar Region were ordained as priests. The confreres: Honoré, Martin (who spent part of his formation in Germany), and Michel Roberto (who studied at the international scholasticate in Pietermaritzburg – RSA).
What better way to begin their journey as priests, ministers of Christ, than to be of service to the poorest!
Martin Rasolofoniaina (35), Honoré Heritiana Razafinarivo (32) and Nomena Michel Roberto Razafiarison (28) received from the bishop of the diocese of Ambatondrazaka, Mgr. Jean de Dieu Raoelison, the sacrament reserved for pastors of the Church, in our parish of Our Lady of Fatima of Ambohmirary.
Their “Ecce Venio” was strongly pronounced by the three candidates in the presence of Fr. Álvaro Gaspar Rodrigues – regional vicar of Madagascar – who presented the three candidates to the bishop during a celebration that saw friends, family and confreres from various areas, including Fr. Kazimierz Gabryel, rector of the scholasticate in Pietermaritzburg, who was present for the priestly ordination of one of his students.
Even the regional superior, Fr. Yvon Mathieu, despite being in Rome for the Major Superiors Colloquium, expressed his joy and closeness to the new priests, sending his greetings and blessings, entrusting the three confreres to Our Lady of Loreto, to accompany them and give them the joy of sharing in the Church’s service to the Malagasy people, and the poorest, the pastoral mission which has been entrusted to them.
We all join in the joy of the confreres of the Madagascar Region in wishing for Martin, Honoré and Michel that the Heart of Christ will always accompany them with blessings so that they can believe what Jesus expects from his ministers which is to “To bear fruit in abundance.”
