Madagascar’s Eucharistic Congress Spurs Renewed Commitment to Eucharistic Life

“God has given everything and offered Himself to all humanity,” Fr. Tsiazonaly said, noting that the Eucharist is the “source of true unity”. He urged the faithful to act as brothers and sisters in Christ.

“The greatest gift the Lord has given us is the Eucharist, which unites us in Him, transcending race and nations. The world is in dire need of this unity in Christ,” he said.

The Catholic Priest who lectures at the Paul VI Major Seminary of the Catholic Archdiocese of Antsiranana praised the active participation of young people, women, and Priests who attended the event, describing the participation as a “vibrant demonstration of the Church’s strength.”

“We have seen many young people actively involved in organizing and participating in this congress. Madagascar's population is predominantly young, and I have high hopes for our youth, particularly the young women who are deeply committed to the full development of their society and within the Church,” the Parish Priest of the Most Pure Heart of Mary Ampampamena Parish of Antsiranana Archdiocese said.

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The Malagasy Catholic Priest acknowledged the role of faith in driving the Church in Madagascar forward, and expressed enthusiasm that the renewed focus on the Eucharist would enable the Church in Madagascar to advance even further.

“This level of participation has never been seen here before. We witnessed crowds of the faithful, truly animated and carried by the Holy Spirit, with the Eucharist at the center. The atmosphere was filled with great Eucharistic joy,” he said.

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Fr. Tsiazonaly continued, “It was a great joy and a profound testimony for the region and the city of Antsiranana.”

He called on the faithful to allow themselves to be transformed by the Eucharist, becoming “agents of change in society.”

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“We are a community; we are brothers and sisters. If we act as a community, we are truly a great force for change. Nothing is impossible if we believe in Jesus and follow Him,” the Catholic Priest said.

He said, “After this congress, we must not stay at home and think that everything is already good. No, it will continue.”

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Fr. Tsiazonaly further said, “The people who attended this congress will return home and share their experiences, and this spirit of renewal will continue to spread. We will live this at least for a year.”

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On her part, Sr. Jacqueline Rasoanandrasang, a member of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary of Diego-Suarez (CIM-D/S) spoke about the importance of prayer and the Eucharist in the life of the Church and shared her hopes for continued “spiritual growth and renewal.”

Sr. Jacqueline Rasoanandrasang. Credit: ACI Africa

“The strength of the Eucharist unites us. We saw this during the congress. Everyone was filled with joy, and we met all the people as one family. This is the power of the Eucharist,” Sr. Jacqueline said, and added, “It is the spirit of the Eucharist that must dictate our conscience.”

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The Catholic Nun said the Eucharist is the source of hope for discouraged people, those who she said “look to the future with skepticism and pessimism as if nothing could bring them happiness.”

Another CIM-D/S member, Sr. Victoire Noeline Rasoamanarivo said, “There can be no true unity without truth and without Christ Himself.”

Sr. Victoire Noeline Rasoamanarivo. Credit: ACI Africa

She added, “We are all brothers and sisters, and we must act as such. We truly become brothers in the Eucharist. Through the Eucharist, which is our nourishment and our brotherhood, we can indeed change the world if we allow God to change us.”

Prisca Andriamihavana from the Our Lady of Victory Parish of the Catholic Archdiocese of Antsiranana said, “We are leaving this congress filled with the Holy Spirit and the strength to face world challenges.”

Prisca Andriamihavana. Credit: ACI Africa

“We learned a lot about the transforming power of the Eucharist and I am going back to share what I learned with those who could not make it,” she said.

Esmeralda Ravalonorosoa, a Catholic youth from the Archdiocese of Antananarivo told ACI Africa she is leaving the congress “with renewed zeal to foster evangelization” among her peers.

Esmeralda Ravalonorosoa. Credit: ACI Africa

“We are the future of the Church. The Church relies on us to amplify the good news. We thank the Bishops for this initiative. The Catholic Church in Madagascar is ready for new challenges,” Ravalonorosoa said.

Also speaking to ACI Africa, Mr. Raymond Ranjeva, a former judge at the International Court of Justice, now serving as the Honorary President of the Malagasy Justice Academy underscored the need for a “deeper understanding of the Eucharist and unity among the faithful.”

Mr. Raymond Ranjeva. Credit: ACI Africa

“The mysteries of our faith, especially the Eucharist, require a profound understanding that transcends simple explanations,” Mr. Ranjeva said.

He added, “For Catholics, the Eucharist is not merely a symbol; it is the real presence of Christ—His body and blood given to us. When we celebrate the Eucharist, we are not just recalling the Last Supper; we are participating in it. The sacrifice of Christ is made present to us again.”

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He described the Eucharistic Congress in the country as having set “very high” theological standards, adding, “But we must be careful not to create a divide between those who grasp these complexities and those who do not. The Church must ensure that every believer, regardless of their intellectual or theological background, feels part of this great mystery.”

The Catholic jurist continued, “It is the role of the Church to confirm the faith of the faithful, to ensure that they do not despair or feel left behind. Even if a believer has only made it halfway on their spiritual journey, the Church must walk with them, helping them to complete the journey.”

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“I found the structure of the Congress to be very insightful, opening new perspectives on the Eucharist. The speeches and homilies of the Bishops, especially on the power of the Eucharist, have left a lasting impact on me. They have reinforced my belief that the Eucharist is the very life of the Church, the source of our unity and strength,” Mr. Ranjeva said.

He added, “I see a vibrant and dynamic Church, with a renewed strength and faith in the Eucharist. We must allow ourselves to be transformed by the Eucharist, to open ourselves to the healing power of Jesus in the Eucharist.”

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On his part, the Local Ordinary of Antsiranana, Archbishop Benjamin Marc Balthason Ramaroson said the success of the congress shows his Archdiocese’s “commitment to deepening Eucharistic devotion.”

Archbishop Benjamin Marc Balthason Ramaroson. Credit: ACI Africa

“True fraternity is in Christ, in the Eucharist. He is our reconciliation, our peace, and our fraternity with creation, humanity, and God,” Archbishop Ramaroson said.

The representative of the Holy Father in Madagascar, Archbishop Tomasz Grysa said, “The devotion of the people who attended this congress, their participation in the celebrations, prayers, and adoration—all of this is a significant strength of the Church in Madagascar.”

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“We often say that the Church in Madagascar moves forward thanks to the faith of the mothers and the works of the sisters. Now, with this renewed strength and faith in the Eucharist and the praise of Jesus in our midst, I believe we can advance even further,” the Apostolic Nuncio said.