The Rector Major was accompanied by Fr Eusebio Muñoz, Delegate of the Rector Major for the Salesian Family, and Fr Giuseppe Casti, World Delegate for the Salesian Cooperators. They met members of the Salesian Family of the Vice-Province of Mary Immaculate which includes Madagascar and the Islands of Mauritius. Fr Muñoz and Fr Casti, along with the local Delegate for the Salesian Family, Fr Salvo Bartolomeo, and the Provincial, Fr Charles Armand Randimbisoa, presented the "Common Identity Card" of the Salesian Family.
On the afternoon of the same day, the Rector Major also met with representatives of the Salesian Youth Movement of Madagascar which is accompanied jointly by the Salesians and the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians. In addition to the traditional celebrations with dances, songs and merriment, the programme of activities and the formation programme were presented to the young people who came from all parts of the Vice-Province.
On the next day, Saturday 2 April, the Rector Major and the team accompanying him on this trip, reached Betafo, south of the capital Antananarivo. There he was greeted with great warmth by the entire population which escorted him in procession, and by the city authorities. Upon reaching the Salesian House he met the children and young people of different groups that attend the work.
Yesterday, still in Betafo, on the Feast of Divine Mercy, there was a solemn Mass, which was attended by a large crowd of faithful. Bishop Rosario Vella SDB of Ambanja, Madagascar, presided and the Rector Major gave the homily.
