Antananarivo (Madagascar). From 25 to 29 August 2025, in Antananarivo, a formation encounter was held for the new Animators organized by the Formation Commission of the Africa-Madagascar Interprovincial Conference (CIAM).
The meeting was attended by 18 Daughters of Mary Help of Christians from four Provinces: Mary the Source of Life (MDG), Saint Mary Domencia Mazzarello (AEC), Mother of God (AFO), Our Lady of Africa (AFC).
In an atmosphere of prayer, simplicity, and sharing, the participants were able to delve deeper into fundamental themes for their mission as animators, to guide the communities according to the spirit of the Church and the Salesian Charism. Each day was enriched by a specific topic.
On 25 August, the session opened with the theme, “Leadership in the Church and consecrated life for an animation of life”, animated by Mrs. Razafindrama Masy Alinoro and Father Prospère Rakotomnnrivo (SJ), who spoke of a leadership style based on service, listening, and communion.
On 26 August, the same speakers continued with, “Accompaniment in a perspective of integral ecology”, broadening the animator’s mission to safeguard Creation and respect for the common home.
On 27 August, Father Jean Dieu Randrianaivo (SJ) spoke about the accompaniment of the Animator as a guarantor of spiritual life in the community. In the afternoon, Sister Monique Soanambinina Hanitriniaina, FMA, in her presentation, “Authority and service in synodality” explored the role of the Animator according to the Constitutions, recalling that authority is lived through closeness, discernment, and co-responsibility.
On 28 August, Sister Blandine Rafaraonisoa, Provincial of the MDG Province, addressed the theme of animating community life, placing emphasis on the concrete relationships between the Animator, the Vicar, and the Bursar. In the afternoon, Sister Blandine presented, “The accompaniment of the Temporary Professed”, underlining the importance of an attentive and maternal gaze in the first years of consecrated life.
On 29 August, Father Delphin Razafindraibe (UCM) opened a reflection on “Interculturality and intergenerationality”, particularly current issues in communities marked by diversity and complementarity
A time of grace and fraternity
At the end of the days, the participants expressed their profound gratitude for the quality of the interventions and for the fraternity they experienced, recognizing that the experience enriched them on a human, spiritual, and pastoral level, helping them to live their animation service as a path of shared growth, in synodality, and with hope.
The meeting concluded with an evaluation that confirmed the progress made and encouraged the animators to continue their mission with faith, humility, and a spirit of renewed service.
“I stand among you as one who serves” (Lk 22: 27). With this spirit, the new Animators have returned to their communities strengthened in their vocation, aware that authority is, first of all, a service of love, following the example of Christ and according to the educational style of Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello.
