New Province of the Immaculate Conception of the BVM in Madagascar

On the 16th June, 2025, the new Province of the Immaculate Conception was erected, marking a historic moment for the Order of Friars Minor in the Islands of Madagascar and Mauritius. The Minister General appointed the first Government of the new Province, composed of the Minister Provincial Br. Jean Pierre Rasolonjanahary, OFM, the Vicar Provincial Br. Jean Charles Rakotondranaivo, OFM, and the Provincial Definitors Br. Flavio Andrison, OFM, Br. Bruno Razafindrabe, OFM, Br. Lalaina Amidicael Rajaonarison, OFM and Br. Jacques Etienne Raharosolondraibe, OFM.

The themes and challenges of the Provincial Chapter include fraternity, identity, fraternal economy and solidarity. Evangelism focuses on the poor and frontier areas, with a strong commitment to economic accountability, transparency, and ongoing formation. Vocation promotion is decentralized to respond to the specific needs of each friar and the different fraternities. 

This evolution of the Franciscan presence in Madagascar represents not only a journey of faith, but also a concrete commitment to the social and economic growth of local communities.

The new Province currently has 48 Friars with solemn profession: 35 serve in Madagascar, 4 in Mauritius and 9 outside the Province. In initial formation there are 37 Friars in temporary profession: 18 study philosophy, 14 theology and 5 are outside the Province. The Novitiate welcomes 7 novices, while the Postulancy has 11 postulants, of whom 3 in the second year and 8 in the first year.

The Houses of Formation and the Fraternities of the new Province are distributed as follows: in the Diocese of Antsirabe there are the Aspirantate of St. Damian, the Fraternity of St. Anthony of Padua for the Postulancy, the Fraternity of St. Mary of the Angels for the Novitiate and the Fraternity of St. James of the March for philosophical studies. In Antananarivo, the Fraternity of St. Joseph hosts the Scholasticate, while other presences are found in the dioceses of Ambanja, Tsiroanomandidy and Farafangana. On the island of Mauritius, the friars are present with the Fraternity of St. Anthony of Padua and the Branch House of St. Bernardine of Siena.

Storia della presenza francescana in Madagascar

The presence of the Friars Minor in Madagascar began in 1960, marking the beginning of an important spiritual and social adventure on the island. In 1980 this mission was linked to the "Africa Project", an initiative aimed at promoting growth and evangelization in various African nations. 
Ten years later, in 1990, the mission was integrated into the Province of St. Francis in Africa and Madagascar, strengthening the ties between the Franciscan fraternities. 

In 1992 the Franciscan Foundation of Madagascar was founded, a significant step to consolidate the work and activities of the fraternity. In 2000, Madagascar and the island of Mauritius became part of the same Foundation, highlighting a missionary unity that transcended maritime borders. In 2006, Madagascar was recognized as a dependent Custody of the Province of St. Francis in Africa, a sign of maturity and autonomy in the mission. In 2023, Br. Manuel Corullón, OFM is appointed delegate of the Minister General to accompany the transition of the Custody to a Province, marking another important step in the fraternity's growth path. Finally, on the 16th  June, 2025, the Franciscan Province of the Immaculate Conception was erected in Madagascar and Mauritius.