Province of Madagascar

Blessed John Martin Moye, founder of the Congregation of Divine Providence, had a great desire to go as a missionary to the Island of Madagascar but that dream was not fulfilled in his lifetime. At that time Providence had greater need of Father Moye elsewhere – in China but Providence did not forget Moye’s dream.

In 1950, one hundred seventy-eight years later, Father Moye’s dream was realized in the sending of three Sisters of Divine Providence of St. Jean de Bassel as missionaries to Madagascar. Today that tiny mustard seed community of 3 women of Providence has grown into a province of 97 Sisters of Divine Providence, 87 of whom are native Malagasy.

Following the example of their founder, Sisters of Divine Providence live and work among the poor of the island. In their ministry of health care, the sisters work in remote villages, small towns and cities; in dispensaries, hospitals and leper colonies.

John Martin Moye’s words to his sisters, “Nothing is more important that the education of youth” are an important lifeline in the heart of the Congregation of Divine Providence and especially so on the Island of Madagascar. In one room schools in the bush country or brick buildings in the cities, the sisters instruct, initiate, and promote learning in academic and vocational projects, in pastoral formation and life skills. They teach the children to help themselves, to learn trades and skills that will enable them to have a livelihood that will give them a sense of dignity in the midst of their poverty.

Madagascar is the fourth largest island in the world. The island’s bulging population, diminishing resources, and economic policies contribute to the island’s poverty and steady economic decline. The role of the Sisters of Divine Providence is to be a sign of hope to the people of Madagascar that a Provident God does care for them and so do they.