General Assembly in Madagascar

Published by Bro. Joseph Victor RATAFITANIAINA, SMM in Madagascar · Wednesday 04 Dec 2024 · 3:15
Tags: NU, MAD, 1223

[FR]

TANANARIVE, Madagascar - The General Assembly of the Vice-Province of Madagascar was held at the Daughters of Wisdom in Benasandratra Tananarive on Wednesday, November 20 until Wednesday, November 27, 2024. The session was divided into three phases: the first three days were consecrated for spiritual formation with Father Arnold SUHARDI, SMM, followed by a retreat the following day. And the last three days, in the presence of the general administration: Father Yoseph Putra Dwi Darma WATUN, SMM, superior general, Father Lonely Paul MASHONGA, SMM, general assistant as well as Father Balaswamy KATA, SMM, general treasurer, were adapted for the account report of the Vice-Province and the general assembly as such.

In his preaching, Father Arnold, responsible for Montfortian spirituality, took us into the context of 17^th century spirituality in France. As a result, he addressed the phenomena linked to the social, political-ecclesiastical, economic and cultural situation of the 17^th century. Then retraced the spiritual and missionary dimensions of Christian holiness experienced by the Church at this time, as well as all its problems. Finally, we discovered the traces of the experience and thought of the Holy Spirit in relation to spiritual and missionary life. Thus, seven characteristics of missionary life were raised: obeying the Bishop, reaching out to the poor, teamwork, itinerancy, gratuity, dependence on divine Providence and austerity.

During the retreat day, the same preacher accompanied us to unite Wisdom incarnate with Jesus with the theme: “To be together and separated from communion for the good of the Church”. On this, we meditated on some biblical passages and the writings of our founder such as the embraced prayer n° 20, Canticle 23, Love of Eternal Wisdom n° 95 and 97, Luke 6,12, Luke 11, 1-13. In a way, one of our primary mission is “to be together”. The mission, he said, is a question of being and not a question of doing.

The last three days were marked by reporting, sharing, discussion and reflection on the future of our Entity. Essentially, the emphasis was placed on the self-financing of our Entity. Questions of finance, fraternity, and solidarity were addressed by the general treasurer, Father Balaswamy KATA, SMM and the general assistant, Father Lonely Paul MASHONGA, SMM. Then Father General shared with us the life of the Congregation, the timeline with the operational plan until 2029, the end of the mandate of the generalate. And on November 26, 2024 morning, during the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Father General publicly announced the new administration of the Vice-Province of Madagascar. This is composed of: Father Jean Joël RANDRIANARIVOMANANA, SMM, new superior of the Vice-Province for a mandate of three years. With his Council: Father Pierino LIMONTA, SMM, Father Clément RAANDRINIAINA, SMM, Father Ermond Ernesto ANDRIAMIHARINTSOA, SMM.

In joy and sharing a fraternal meal, we completed our assembly with the Daughters of Wisdom. The outgoing superior of the Vice-Province, in turn, expressed his feelings of gratitude and thanks to Father General, to his Council and to the General Bursar, for their witness of service and love and their sharing. He also thanked the outgoing administration team and all the colleagues for the support, both fraternal and spiritual, for having collaborated together, worked together for the smooth running of our Entity. Finally, he wished the best for the new administration of our Entity.

May God fill us with grace, joy and strength at the prayer of the Virgin Mary and Saint Louis-Marie de Montfort!

Bro. Joseph Victor RATAFITANIAINA, SMM

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