Brother Superior General, Br Armin Luistro, has appointed for the second time Br Julien Ratsimbazafy as Visitor for the District of Madagascar. The mandate will last another four years: from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2029.
Brother Julien was born in Antsiriribe (Diocese of Antsirabe) on 31 May 1972. He comes from a very fervent Christian family of ten children, of whom two were called to the priesthood and three to religious life.
He did his Postulancy in 2000 in Antananarivo, then his Novitiate from 2001 to 2002 in Bobo-Dioulasso. From 2003 to 2006, he attended the Scholasticate in Abidjan. He pronounced his first vows in June 2003, and his perpetual vows in 2010.
Brother Julien received training as a formator in 2007 at the Lovasoa Centre in Antamponakatso. He holds a Master’s Degree in Education and another Master in Sociology. He is also passionate about football and music (piano), instruments through which he manages to be close to the young people to whom he dedicates much of his time.
Brother Julien then took on various responsibilities in the District of Madagascar. He has been a formator and then director of the Postulancy, councillor of the “Chœur Cher Frère Rafiringa” choir, professor and head of pastoral care at the Infocentre in La Salle, director of the St. Miguel Scholasticate in Abidjan, District councillor, national head of the MEL Office, member of the Economic Council, community director, and delegate to AIMEL II (in 2013).
By virtue of the many roles he has played, Br Julien is praised by the Superior General, who looks at his leadership and dedication with extreme gratitude, encouraging him “to show renewed commitment, to be demanding and to make firm and bold decisions when necessary”.
“It is crucial” for Brother Armin “that we work together and in a synodal way with all Lasallians to build a strong and just District, with particular attention to the good functioning of organisational and decision-making structures, the lives of the Brothers and other Lasallians, and an active listening to the needs and concerns related to the Lasallian Educational Mission”.
The Superior General also urged Brother Julien to pay attention to the economic and human resources needed to “build a District that is more dynamic, more open to innovation and more committed to structures that favour fraternity, synodality and ecological conversion”.
“Dear Brother Julien,” continues Brother Armin, “in this Jubilee Year as Pilgrims of Hope, both for the universal Church and for our Institute, I express my sincere wish that this second mandate will be rich in abundant fruits and a source of inspiration for all the Lasallian educational communities in Madagascar.
We congratulate Brother Julien Ratsimbazafy on his second appointment and wish him every success in his mission.