On 22 November 2025, Brother Ivan Karlo Umali, FSC, of the LEAD District, and Brother Donatien Ravonasandratra of the Madagascar District will pronounce their final vows.
Brother Ivan‘s vows will be pronounced at the Chapel of the Divine Child, La Salle Green Hills, Mandaluyong City, Philippines.
Brother Ivan is a Filipino Brother from the Lasallian East Asia District (LEAD). He comes from De La Salle Lipa, where he graduated with a Degree in Accounting in 2014. He entered the Novitiate of the PARC Region on 9 August 2017 and professed his first vows on 25 August 2018. He has taught and held administrative positions at De La Salle Lipa, La Salle Academy (Iligan) and La Salle University (Ozamiz). Brother Ivan is currently at the Holy Infancy Brothers’ Community in Iligan City.
Brother Ivan Karlo Umali FSC also decided to dedicate his life to the Lasallian Educational Mission. Raised in San Jose, Batangas, he initially dreamed of becoming a doctor or lawyer, categorically rejecting the idea of becoming a teacher or priest. However, he later joined the Brothers’ Aspirancy Programme in 2011, during his second year at De La Salle Lipa, driven by curiosity and a desire to explore his faith and the meaning of life.
After earning his Degree in Accounting and working in the corporate sector, he began to feel an inner emptiness despite his professional success. This led him to resign from his job and resume his discernment journey with the Brothers. He began teaching and discovered an unexpected joy in education, which brought him closer to his religious vocation. “In the students, I found a meaning and fulfilment that I had never experienced in the corporate world”, says Br. Ivan. “Teaching allowed me to connect with students, promote creativity and find a sense of belonging. All of this led me to embrace my vocation as a De La Salle Brother”.
“In 2016, I entered the Postulancy and then the Novitiate, where I received the habit and deepened my understanding of the Lasallian mission. During my years of formation and experiences of teaching and ministry in different communities, I matured in my decision to live the religious vows fully. Through spiritual retreats and personal reflection, I was able to face my fears and insecurities until I reached my final decision”, reveals Brother Ivan.
“God has constantly accompanied me in every season of my life, helping me to find clarity and fulfilment. My perpetual vows are an act of love and gratitude for God’s enduring faithfulness to me”, concludes Br. Ivan.
Brother Donatien Ravonasandratra, born in 1996 in a small village in the Itasy region, is the youngest of ten siblings and dreamed of becoming a priest from an early age.
“From an early age, my brothers and sisters and I received a solid Christian education. My father, a passionate musician, taught us to play various instruments, and together we sang songs from the Gospel.” “It was undoubtedly in this spiritual and musical atmosphere,” continues Br. Donatien, “that I began to feel, deep in my heart, the call to consecrated life.”
Raised in boarding school, he later studied with the Guadalupana Sisters in Ankazobe, in the district of his village. There he met Brother Jean de Dieu Randrianasolo Zafimamonjy, who had come to lead a training course for teachers. “After Mass, he greeted me and asked me if I wanted to become a Brother,” comments Fr. Donatien.
“I accepted, and in my initial discernment I was accompanied by the Guadalupana Sisters.”
He graduated in 2014 and then joined the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools. After a year of training in Saint-Louis Ambositra in 2015, he began his formation in the Postulancy from 2016 to 2018.
After the Novitiate, he attended the Scholasticate for three years to complete his formation in 2022.
“After that, I worked for two years (2022-2024) as prefect of studies at the Rafiringa Faravohitra school, then for a year at the Stella Maris school (2024-2025), always in the same role. It was there that I asked my Visitor for my final profession in the Congregation.”
“From my first day of formation,” says Br. Donatien, “I never doubted my vocation. The further I go, the more comfortable and happier I feel with my choice.”
“I feel a deep joy and a real sense of belonging to my fraternity and a special energy, especially when I meet the students, at school or in class.”
“My greatest desire,” says Brother Donatien, “is to become an educator with heart and soul, following the example of my father and, above all, remaining faithful to the path laid out by our founder De La Salle and Blessed Rafiringa; to accompany each child in their growth, to help them become fully themselves, but above all to respond to the plan that God has for my life.”
