Would you share a bit about your background: family, childhood, early education etc.?
Fr. Richard: I was born in a big family. We are 11 siblings. 7 men and 4 women. My mam was died when I was 9 years old and my dad was died when I was 27 years old when I finished my formation in philosophy at the seminary. I was brought by my aunt and my grandmother after 2 years of the death of my mom. I went to school, I repeated 2 classes before getting the degree before going to the university. In my family, I was the kind of the child who didn’t talk much. I was a quiet child who preferred listening to others. When I was small, I tried my best to get money from selling small things during vacations. I made me to help some of my need like clothes, vacations, offertory every Sundays etc…
I entered in the Assumptionist after my Baccalaureate in October 2003. I started my formation in the Assumptionist since 2003 in Toliara, south part of Madagascar. 2 years later, I did my one year of novitiate. I did my 3 years of philosophy. I had 3 months of pastoral ministry in a remote place. I was transferred to a chaplaincy of the university and at the same time doing my pastoral ministry and studying one year for philosophy tin order to get license in philosophy. After one year, I went to Nairobi for my theology but I was learning English during 6 months before my theology at HEKIMA university run by the Jesuits. I finished my theology in 2014 and I was assigned to be the treasurer of a high school in Ejeda. This school is for the Assumptionist in Madagascar. I was treasurer of the school during 6 years.
Where/how did your Assumptionist roots begin? Did anyone in particular have a significant impact on your life?
In my home village, we do not have community of the Assumptionists. I knew the Assumptionist through a friend of mine who was already in the Assumptionist for 1 year. During vacation, he told me to join the Assumptionist. He brought me to a sister who was in charge of vocations. She proposed me 4 congregations: Jesuit, Lazarist, Don Bosco Salesians and the Assumptionist. I chose the Assumptionist because my friend was already there. But I was surprised when I arrived in the formation house because my friend didn’t come. He was not accepted to continue.
Would you share some of your later education and formation memoriee? Do you have any favorite scripture passages?
I did my theology in Nairobi Kenya at HEKIMA College. I was facing with various cultures. I appreciated my formation because of the mixture of cultures. I tried to ask some words in many languages which made my promotion to be happy. To have open minded is very important for me.
When I was accepted for my final vows, I chose as my motto one of the sentences in the prayer for the beatification of father d’Alzon: Make of me a good laborer of your kingdom. I took this sentence to help me to do my best so that I may become a good laborer of the kingdom of God. When I was accepted to be ordained deacon, I chose the first letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians chapter 15, verses 10, which says: … Yet not I, but the grace of God that is with me. I added the motto I chose for my final vows: Make of me a god laborer of your kingdom. So, it becomes like this: Yet not I, but the grace of God that is with me, there for, make of me a good laborer of your kingdom. For my priestly ordination, I kept it as my motto. Whenever there is occasion to say it, I tell it to people. Example to quote my ideas in preaching, sharing… When I think about my life since I have been with my family, I realized that without the grace of God, I am not who I am now.
Where and what did subsequent community assignments take you?
I was appointed as the provincial treasurer of the province of Madagascar. I was in charge of it during 6 years. In my last 3 year as a provincial treasurer, I was appointed in the postulancy house. The first year, I was helping the postulants master. The next 2 years, I was appointed as the postulants’ master and at the same time provincial treasurer. Now I am here in the Province of North America for sabbatical years.
How have you experienced growth in the living out of your Assumptionist charism?
I have experienced growth in the living out of my Assumptionist charism by serving others with love and following the example of the Assumptionist community. I have learned to live my faith more deeply and share it with those around me. I have experienced growth by participating in community life and helping those in need. I have grown in prayer, service, and dedication to the mission of the Assumptionists.
Would you share any happy memories/stories?
One of my happy memories is the time when I was with the young in the formation house. They trusted in me as their master. Most of them were familiar with me. I didn’t put barrier. I was playing basket ball with them. I don’t play footfall but one day I was with them just being with them, that was very important day that they appreciated it.
I also remember the friendships I made with people who supported me in my vocation. Many people send me message or call me that they are supporting me in prayer. This support brings me courage in my religious life.
What hobbies or other interests do you have?
As hobbies, I like jogging and walking. I am interested of reading romans’ books. I like watching cartoon. I like playing game on the computer Solitaire’s game.
What is your vision and or hope for the future of the congregation and/or the Church?
I attended the Colloquium of father Vincent Machozi, at the Boston University, who was a martyr of peace, truth and justice in his country. Because of this, I hope that the Church and the congregation become stronger signs of love, justice, truth and hope in the world.
I hope that the congregation attracts young people and remains faithful to its mission.
Is there anything about you that you would like to share or that would surprise others?
I tell you how I lived my religious life after my theology. It may make people surprised. The first one is about my choice. In my request for my final vows, I decided to remain as a brother. I didn’t ask for a diaconate ordination after my formation in Kenya. When I arrived in my home town, the members of my family had prepared for my priestly ordination. I told them that I remain as a brother. They didn’t believe in me. In each of my vacation, my younger brother always asked my cousin: when would be the priestly ordination of brother Mahenina Richard. She replied him that he would not have it. He didn’t believe in her. Finally, 8 years remaining as a brother, I decided to proceed to the priesthood. I had 3 days of recollection with my spiritual director to reflect upon it. Finally, I discussed to my provincial and he asked me to make a report. So now I am in my 2nd year of my priestly ordination. For me, I value the brotherhood life. Most of the time, those who were not able to finish the studies remained as brothers. I said to myself, no, to remain as a brother is for everybody even if he is capable because of his capacity.
Another surprise, we were in time of preparation of our ordination. My parish priest fell sick, he had to leave the area because it is hot and he doesn’t support the heat. So just 9 days after my ordination, I was appointed the parish priest. I run the parish during 8 months.
I never forget to pray to Saint Rita, patroness of impossible causes. She is my favorite saint. In my life, I always have difficulties which I would not resolve them, but suddenly I surpass them. I believe that it is because of Saint Rita. Never give up in life even if something seems impossible. Trust in God through the different saints that we love, my is Saint Rita.
