Mosé Ralairisoa ocd

When we speak about the Congress of young religious, the first thing that comes to mind was the heat of those days, which, however, did not hinder the enthusiasm of the young participants. Also, the slogan, "Vidimus Dominum", which marked that entire week has left an indelible mark in the hearts of the participants. The joy of being together and the linguistic groupings have facilitated the exchange of the experiences of our lives and missions.

In spite of all the difficulties, the expectations and the challenges shared during this meeting have rapidly brought fruits.

First of all, the acknowledgment of the vows of chastity, poverty and obedience, that are for us the privileged means by which we honor Jesus, letting us to be shaped into His image, especially as we live them within our communities.

Then, the conviction that our duty towards others be that of living in the unity of the diversity, through dialogue and forgiveness, which make possible the presence of the Kingdom of God among us. In a concrete manner, I believe that the Congress could be the first step to live the universality.

Finally, we have discovered our place in today’s world. We pledge to be the prophetic testimonies of what we are, what we do and what we say.

The presence of participants from all over the French-speaking world has helped us to become familiar with the difficulties of the young religious of our times. The participants raised the problem of community living, especially among the European and Western female congregations, due, in the majority of the cases, by the greater number of elderly religious which make the younger feel more isolated, and not understood... whereas the young of the Asian continent have shown that they know what is going on in the Church and share its worries. The majority of the problems that were treated were related especially to Africa: the problems of formation, particularly in the international congregations. It was insisted upon the differences that can be found in the formation between the African and European religious. It also evoked the problems of women in the Church in Africa, especially the religious. It was also noted the difficulties regarding the inculturation of the vows, especially the vow on poverty.

As a challenge to those difficulties and expectations it came forth—in the first place and common to all—the need to live the unity in the diversity in all aspects, be them cultural or charismatic.

The formation in Africa.
To live the vows in a more incarnated manner through inculturation and in harmony with the place in which we live.
The inculturation of the charism of the institute.
To live the vow of poverty in the country of the mission.
The place of the woman in the Church of Africa.

To conclude, I want to quote some lines from the final message of the French meeting: "the experience of a congress, so much enriched by the variety of experiences, brings about sentiments of recognition to those that have preceded us in the path of consecrated life. It reinforces our links of fraternity with those that work for the Kingdom some times at the risk of their own life." I would add that the Congress leads us to have a more open vision of the consecrated life and it makes us really live in communion with the Church, our Mother.

Finally I would like to share with you the idea of an African sister whose desire was to organize a similar meeting at the national, or at least regional, level with the help and the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit, with the intercession of the Holy Virgin Mary, model and protectress of the consecrated life and with your help and support so that this idea can be realized.