Paso for Requegua of sister Armelle Rasoarivelo 1996 – 2011

From REQUEGUA, in the municipality of San Vicente de Tagua Tagua in the central area of Chile, we wish to express our deep feelings for the departure of Sr. ARMELLE RASOARIVELO to the House of the Father. A Malagasy missionary, asking for her eternal rest and consolation for her family in Madagascar and for the Congregation of the Sisters of Christ.

Sister. Armelle arrived in the city of Requegua on March 16, 1996, with Sisters Marie Thérèse Roudier and Sr. Delfina Miranda. They founded this new community together, with a new mission entrusted to them by the Provincial Superior at the time, Sister Marie José Toudic.

The Sisters arrived in Requegua to animate this community and the neighbouring communities. The Mystery of Christ being the foundation and centre of their charism of life and mission, they sow faith, the spirit of service and hope in the different communities throughout the world where they are present. It was in this spirit that Sister Armelle, who quickly became involved with the Community, began her pastoral work here by working as a teacher of religion at the School of Requegua. In parallel with her teaching work, she began to get to know the Community by approaching the existing apostolic groups and gradually making herself known in the pastoral action of our parish.

The work in the school in this area helped her to get to know the children and then to organize the "Eucharistic Youth Movement" (EYM) in our community, a movement that invites children and young people to "Live in the Way of Jesus" with the Eucharist as its centre. This movement has been so successful that the series of activities that have been carried out have motivated children and young people to approach the Church and have even given them the opportunity to participate in national meetings of the movement.

After the installation of the "Hogar de Cristo" Reception House in San Vicente, Sister Armelle took charge of the evangelization of the people who arrived in the evening to spend the night in this home, a task that consisted of discussing with them, listening to them and offering them words of encouragement in the face of the sad homeless life that these brothers and sisters were leading. With them, she prepared the Holy Mass once when it was celebrated in this place.

Visiting the families of our city was the centre of her mission, Sr. Armelle visited the houses of Requegua daily, insisting on listening to the members of the family, especially the elderly to whom she also brought Christ in communion.

Her long and vast trajectory, during his time in the Community of Requegua, undoubtedly left an indelible mark; her long journeys through the dusty streets of the Cerro sector were no obstacle to reaching all those who needed to be heard. The activities with children and young people had a profound impact that was reflected in the participation of this segment of the population in the various activities of the Church.

Today, after several years, the community still remembers her with great affection and special gratitude for her generous dedication, especially to the poorest and most needy, which gave her a special charism in her way of approaching Christ to her brothers and sisters.

It is with deep sadness that the community of Requegua bids farewell today from afar to a Sister of Christ, to a Malagasy missionary who came to Chile, and to this community of Requegua to create unity in Christ. Rest in peace, Sister Armelle, may the Lord Jesus welcome you so that you may enjoy a full life with the Father.

Testimony of  José Salas, associates,associés, and community of  Requegua