Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Antananarivo (Agenzia Fides) – The Nazarene Sisters began their adventure in Madagascar on May 16, 1967. The inspiration behind the mission came from Father Giuseppe Archetto, CM, who six years earlier had traveled through the southern part of the country in preparation for the arrival of the Vincentian Missionaries of Turin. Visiting the large district of Ihosy, he came across sick, poor, children in need of help. Upon his return to Italy, he told of his “dream” that the Nazarene Sisters would work in that area. The Order accepted and in 1967, aboard the steamship Jean Laborde, four sisters began the first missionary community outside of Italy.
The Nazarene Sisters of the Passion, better known as the Nazarene Sisters, form a part of the Vincentian Family. They were founded in Turin in 1865 by Fr. Marcantonio Durando, Visitor of the Vincentian Missionaries of Turin, beatified in 2002 by Pope John Paul II. The spirit of the institute is to serve those who suffer, as suffering members of Christ crucified, visiting their houses – night and day – and helping to educate abandoned children. After the founder’s death, they began opening houses in the Lombardi and Ligouria regions of Italy. Later, thanks to the initiative of Father Giuseppe Archetto, the Order (affiliated since 1901 to the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent De Paul) was able to expand into mission territories.
Today, the Nazarene Sisters have a network established throughout the country of Madagascar. In the capital city of Antananarivo, they have a house of studies and a retreat house, and on the rest of the island they work with the lepers, in medical clinics, orphanages, oratories, nurseries, elementary schools, assisted living centers, houses for the poor, and formation houses for their novices. The Order has 11 houses and about 100 sisters (almost all of whom are of Malagasy origin), half of whom are novices, which is a positive sign for the mission’s future. (A.M.) (Agenzia Fides 11/7/2008)
