Madagascar Bishop’s First Anniversary

Bp. Donald Pelletier, M.S., (3rd from left) with newly  consecrated Bp. Fabian Raharilamboniaina, O.C.D. (2nd from left) and others concelebrants

Bishop Donald Pelletier, M.S., shares about that very special day, May 16, 2010, one year ago, when Mgr. Marie Fabien Raharilamboniaina, O.C.D., became the new Bishop of Morondava, Madagascar, Bishop Donald’s successor.

 

Throughout the years, the La Salette Community of Morondava, Madagascar has had numerous occasions to thank God and to celebrate. It is always a grace for the Christian community to come together, to take time and praise God for his blessings. God knows how we have had some faith filled celebrations that brought forth new thrusts in Evangelization. 

 

The 25th anniversary (in 1953) of the arrival of the American La Salettes in Morondava to open the mission; the 50th (in 1978) and the 75th (in 2003) were also joy-filled occasions that brought the entire mission and diocese together. The centennial of Mary's apparition at La Salette (in 1946) and then 150th anniversary (in 1996) were occasions that brought people together to learn and especially to live the spirit of La Salette. Yes, throughout the years God has called us as Christians to celebrate – jubilee years, ordinations, professions, and even funerals were occasions for celebrating God's gifts to the mission.

 

Main aisle of outside chapel and covered sanctuary

There is no doubt, however, that the largest, most impressive, joy-filled celebration ever experienced here was the ordination of our new Bishop, Mgr. Marie Fabien Raharilamboniaina, O.C.D., on May 16, 2010. Never in the history of Morondava had a religious event gathered so many people and had such an impact on the entire population – drawing into festive celebration not only Catholics but the entire city, nation and surrounding islands. 

 

Dancers proceed during the Presentation of the Gifts

Numbers alone would have been enough to discourage the organizers who knew the limited possibilities of our

little city. Over 700 people announced their arrival – Bishop Fabien’s family, friends and community – some from distant areas of Madagascar, others from the islands of La Reunion and Mauritius. From all parishes of the diocese other reservations arrived, requesting places for 3,000 people. 

 

The twenty-four bishops from around Madagascar announced their coming, as did more than 200 priests. Then add religious nuns and brothers! Could we lodge and feed so many people? Don't ask me about details but Saturday night, the 15th of May, we lodged and fed over 3,600 visiting people. It wasn't perfect but there were no complaints.

 

Visitors began arriving on Friday the 14th. Already four oxen were butchered on Friday; ten more on Saturday and another five on Sunday. All nineteen oxen had been donated by various Christian communities of the diocese. A few thousand pounds of rice were cooked. Barrels and barrels of water were needed, as well as many ox-carts of wood and charcoal.

 

Some of the thousands of participants in the consecration of Bishop Fabien.

Bishop Fabien’s arrival had been set for late afternoon on Wednesday the 12th. Cars, trucks, buses, motorcycles, bicycles, as well as over a thousand people were waiting at the entrance to the city to greet the new Bishop. It took over half an hour – with speeches, songs and dances – before the cortege could get moving and actually enter the city. People lined the road, waving flags and banners. Others shared the excitement as they listened at home – the entire parade was being transmitted directly over our local Catholic Radio Station. 

 

The parade did not go directly to the cathedral but drove all around the entire city so that everyone would he aware that their new Bishop had arrived. An official reception was scheduled at cathedral for 5:00pm where thousands (mostly young people) cheered and greeted their new Bishop. Few bishops have ever received such an affirming reception.

 

The native baobab tree is so huge that you can hardly see the man underneath.

The next day, Ascension Thursday, had been set aside as a day of thanksgiving and appreciation for my ten years as Bishop. It gave us as well a good chance to test sound and video equipment and to make sure we had enough space for Sunday’s celebration. Almost five thousand people attended that Mass of Thanksgiving for my years – fifty-two years, including ten years as bishop – of service to the mission.

 

Later that same afternoon we held a reception at the parish hall for our new Bishop. He was officially introduced to the local authorities, the city officials and other Christian churches. Oh yes, more speeches and good wishes were the order of the day!

 

Bpisop Fabien greets the thousands of worshippers

Saturday morning – and even late into the night – people kept arriving from all over the island. Meanwhile we went over the liturgy for the last time. By 10:30 people had gathered at the airfield, coming on foot, in cars and buses, on motorcycles and bicycles, this time to officially welcome our new Apostolic Nuncio – this was his first visit to any place outside Antananarivo, the country's capital – and the fourteen Bishops who accompanied him by plane. And of course there were more speeches before vehicles lined up to drive into the city – along roads again crowded with cheering people waving flags and banners.

 

I don't know how others managed to get something to eat at noon, but I know we served over 100 dignitaries at the diocesan Residence. For most people, Saturday afternoon was a leisurely time to relax. For many visitors, the Apostolic Nuncio included, this meant an easy trip to visit our famous Baobab trees.

 

 

Bishop Fabien looks over the giant cake made in honor of his consecration as bishop.

Customarily any important religious celebration begins with a Prayer Vigil. Imagine a Saturday Vigil Service with thousands of harmonious voices praising God, singing Vespers – the official evening prayer of the Church! What a glorious beginning for Saturday's vigil!

 

This was followed by local cultural rites. There are eighteen different tribes in Madagascar, with the Sakalava tribe being native to this area. Traditional blessings were given by royal Sakalava tribal leaders.

 

Princess Colette, in her Royal regalia, came from Belo sur Tsiribihina to receive and initiate our new Bishop into the Sakalava family. This ceremony included a variety of Sakalava cultural and folkloric rituals. Everyone appreciated these simple and beautiful ceremonies.

 

Carmelite Sisters with Bishop Fabien during his visit to the Island of La Reunion in the Indian Ocean

As could be expected, Sunday was a pleasant, warm, clear day. The sky was blue and there was a good ocean breeze. I presided at the ordination liturgy. Ceremonies began at 8:00 in the morning and moved along quite normally – even a bishop only has so much control over how things go – and went until noon. Then festivities continued for another two full hours of speeches. 

 

We had planned to have five speeches but once they got started everyone wanted to get into the act and there was no way I could control or set limits. I know there were at least ten official speeches. My homily was all of six minutes but few followed my time-setting example!

 

Eight hundred people were invited for the sit-down banquet which was simple and well served. I thank God for our numerous volunteers who did such a marvelous job. Then folkloric celebrations – songs and dances – got underway. But soon I was tired and was able to get away, gone to the world as I enjoyed a well deserved two-hour siesta. After another festive evening meal, sponsored by the La Salette community, I could only be grateful that everything had gone off so well.

 

Monday was a joyful day. We said good-bye to all who graciously shared in our celebration. We had done our best, and everyone was pleased. On February 10th, ten years earlier, my ordination had been a big day. But this celebration surpassed it by a hundredfold! Bishop Fabien, comforted by the warm reception he had received, could now take up his service for the Church among the people of Morondava.