The Consolata missionaries working in Madagascar had the pleasure to inaugurate their new house on July 17, 2023, at Beandrarezona Mission. The house which is dedicated to Blessed Sr Leonella Sgobarti was officially inaugurated by Rt. Rev. Francis Donatien Randriamalala, MS, Bishop of the catholic Diocese of Ambanja.
The inauguration started by the solemn blessing of the house, followed by a thanksgiving mass presided over by the bishop and concelebrated by a good number of priests working in the diocese of Ambanja.
During his homily, the bishop thanked the Consolata Missionaries for their presence within the diocese, for their courage in accepting to work at such a difficult place in order to bring Jesus to the Malagasy people.
“We thank the Consolata Missionaries for their presence within our diocese. We give thanks for this beautiful house well done. We thank them for accepting to come and start the mission of Beandrarezona… Thanks for your availability” the bishop said.
The bishop asked the Christians to love their priests, pray for them, collaborate and work with them in the spirit of synodality.
“We are happy because now they have a decent house. Having this house, is a sign that they are not going to leave Beandrarezona; they came to stay and bring consolation to you, to help this village and other villages around to develop by preaching the Word of God and by all other pastoral structures that accompany it” said the bishop.
The bishop challenged the Christians to now to start thinking of a church now that the already have a house for the priests.
“There is already a nice house for the fathers, later you have to collaborate well with them and build the parish church as nice as this house” he said.
At the end of the celebration, Fr. Jean Tuluba, on behalf of the Consolata Missionaries, made his remarks saying that the house of Consolata Missionaries in Beandrarezona is the house of consolation, house of welcoming and listening to people.
Fr Tuluba said that the doors of the house will always be opened to welcome whoever comes in and wants to meet the missionaries.
“Do not be afraid of this house, it is for all of us. Let us protect it” said Fr Tuluba, one of the three pioneers Consolata missionaries in Madagacar.
Fr Tuluba reminded the Christians present that the house is called “Maison Leonella Sgorbati” in honour to the Protector of our mission in Madagascar.
“For that reason, we found it important to dedicate this first project to her. May she continue protecting us and our mission in Madagascar” he said.
Fr Tuluba thanked the Consolata Missionaries through the Continental Council for the new house saying that for the last four years, they have been staying in a small family house sharing the same compound with the family which welcomed them.
The house, said Fr Tuluba will be a place to welcome the new confreres who are assigned to work in Madagascar as well various friends willing to visit us.
Fr. Jean Tuluba, IMC.
