By our own correspondent

Cambodia Delegation, 24 December 2020 -- One of the Cambodia Delegation missionaries, Fr Daniel Rafanomezantsoa (36 years of age) was ordained in Madagascar on 31 October 2020. After a long journey from where he had done his theological studies (in Clifton Hill Melbourne, Australia) he spent a few days of preparation in his native land and was ordained on 31 October 2020 by Bishop Philippe Ranaivomanana of Antsirabe together with another 8 local deacons from different religious congregations.

During his ordination not only his family and relatives were present but also the SDB provincial of Madagascar, Fr Innocent Bizimana and other Salesian confreres. Fr Daniel celebrated his Thanksgiving Mass on 1 November 2020 at the parish church of Maromandray, Mandoto.

Before Christmas, our newly ordained priest shares a short message from his home-place in the heartland of Madagascar: "Dear beloved friends, Hopefully, you are keeping very well. At the moment I am in Madagascar - Antsirabe (town), so I take advantage of this stay to send you finally some ordination photos. Later I hope to share a little bit more about my heartfelt feelings. This afternoon I will travel to Mandoto, really a small rural village, where my parents - Dad and Mum are living. I will be with them for a few days. For Christmas Midnight Mass, I will celebrate the Eucharist at a Church where I was baptised on 17 March 1985. And on Christmas day, I will celebrate the Mass at St Therese of The Child Jesus Church where I used to go during my childhood and teenage years. It's also a memorable place of my first Communion in 1996. Wish all of you Merry Christmas and fruitful celebrations!"

We accompany our newly ordained missionary priest, Fr Daniel from Madagascar, who has been assigned by the Rector Major since 2012 to the Cambodia Delegation (THA province). Merry Christmas!

---

---