Some 30 km outside the capital, Antananarivo, the Brothers of St John of God have just blessed and inaugurated the Order’s first centre in Madagascar, in the town of Imerintsiatosika.

The ceremony took place on April 23, and everyone up and about at first light in readiness: and as soon as the sun emerged over the horizon, Brothers, Co-workers, Volunteers and friends from France, Italy, and Mauritius prepared themselves for the event, and gathered at the centre to celebrate this great adventure involving the Brothers in France and Madagascar.

The Saint Benedict Menni Mental Health Centre, which was more than seven years in its planning, is now an official part of the life of the Order, the Church and Madagascar.

Emphasising the importance of this event, several distinguished officials were in attendance for the ceremony: the Archbishop of Antananarivo, representatives of the Ministry of Health of Madagascar and of the Prior General of the Brothers of Saint John of God, who was prevented from attending personally because of other official prior engagements. Also present were the Mayor of Imerintsiatosika, the District Head, the Regional Director of Health, the Ambassador of the Knights of Malta in Madagascar, and many other people, including members of the local Friends of Saint John of God Association, around 200 children, young and not-so-young people who regularly take part in the activities of the Order and live their charism through their active commitment to the poorest people. Members of other Religious Congregations were also there, together with the benefactors who have made it possible to bring this extremely important work for the mental health of the local people to fruition.