By Sr. Florentine, Madagascar (Sector of The Islands)
On September 1, we welcomed three new sisters into the Good Shepherd family as Marthe, Patricia, and Viviane made their lifelong commitment to dedicate their lives to our Good Shepherd mission.
This joyful occasion marks the 45th anniversary of the arrival of the Congregation to Madagascar, where we founded our first community right here in the village of Sandrandahy.
The day itself was preceded by an evening prayer vigil in the central courtyard of the convent.
Our new sisters and their families gathered with our existing sisters, partners-in-mission, and other people from the surrounding village to pray together and listen to the vocation stories of these three women.
Following sunrise, we all gathered at the large church in Sandrandahy for the celebration presided over by the Bishop of Ambositra, Fr Fidélis Rakotonarivo, together with eight other priests and our local deacon.
The church was filled with the faithful as the four-hour-long celebration was embellished by music from the choir and the musicians – we are known here for our wholehearted singing!
Following the celebration, guests were invited to jump on board a bus that had been arranged to take people back to the community (5km away), where our guests were entertained by Father Doudou Jean Noël, and food and cake was offered to one and all.
We thank everyone who gave their time, money, and energy to make this celebration so beautiful and joyful.
We wish Sr Marthe Sidonie well as she leaves for St Denis Community on Reunion Island to finish her studies, Sr Patricia, who will become part of the Sandrandahy Community, and Sr Viviane, who has been sent to the novitiate community at Antsavatsava Itaosy.
May the saints and blessed of our dear Congregation intercede for the three sisters with the grace of fidelity!
