Lasallian Mission in Madagascar: the Sainte Famille Institution and growth in responsibility

On Saturday, 21 June 2025, the Sainte Famille Institution (District of Madagascar) experienced a day full of emotions and sharing, marking the official closing of the 2024-2025 school year. 

The morning began with a solemn Mass during which the students taking the Brevet d’Études du Premier Cycle (BEPC) and the general and technical Baccalaureate received God’s blessing. In his address, the school director warmly encouraged them to face all their exams with serenity, drawing on the lessons they had learned during the year. He also praised the students in the intermediate classes for their efforts and achievements, reminding them that every milestone reached is a victory on the road to success. 

The theme of the school year just ended was “Growing in Responsibility.” This theme inspired the entire educational community, made up of 1,750 students and 170 educators, including four Brothers, to evolve together in a spirit of faith, fraternity and service, nurturing an environment based on mutual respect and Lasallian values.

After the religious celebration, 24 educators, including Brother Fulbert Ramboa, Director of the Brothers’ Community, received a medal of merit for their work, a symbol of their faithful and valuable commitment to the educational mission of the Sainte Famille Institution. The presentation of the medals was honoured by the presence of representatives from the Ministry of Labour, the Municipality of Antananarivo and the Ministry of National Education, thus highlighting the importance of this historic moment and the close collaboration between all these institutions.

The Sainte Famille Institution is not an isolated entity but an integral part of the Lasallian District of Madagascar, within the broader Lasallian Region RELAF. This affiliation guarantees not only mutual support between the various educational works but also the exchange of best practices, the ongoing formation of educators and the promotion of joint projects that strengthen the Lasallian presence on the African continent. The visit of Brother Julien Ratsimbazafy, Visitor of the District of Madagascar, who wished to express personally his deep gratitude to these committed educators, underlines the importance of the network and the constant commitment of Lasallian leadership to the well-being and success of all its institutions.

The dedication of the Brothers of the Christian Schools to education in the RELAF Region, including Madagascar, has always been well known. In this context, the Sainte Famille Institution in Antananarivo stands out as a beacon of hope and progress, fully embodying the Lasallian mission of educating young people to grow in responsibility and become active citizens.

The theme of the school year, ‘Growing in Responsibility’, is not just a philosophy that can be adopted in a single institution, but the cornerstone of the pedagogy of St. John Baptist de La Salle, successfully applied in different contexts. Through this approach, Lasallian schools aim to form individuals who are aware of their role in society, capable of leadership and at the service of others.

* Article produced in collaboration with the Sainte Famille Institution. Photo: Sainte Famille Institution.