MARTYR OF MADGASCAR

 

In a lesser known part of the world, which has experienced its own upheavels, we find our next martyr. 

BL. LUCIEN BOTOVASOS was born about 1907,  in Vohipeno, a rural town in the southeast of Madagascar, the province of Fianarantsoa the oldest of nine brothers and sisters.  Not much more is known about his early childhood.

He was a schoolteacher and a professed member from the Secular Franciscan Order.  He served as a teacher for his entire adult life and was dedicated to both the religious and secular education of children. His thirst for the religious life led him to discover the Secular Franciscan Order in 1940.  Bl. Lucien adopted the Franciscan charism for himself through his fasting and clothing, wearing khaki colored clothes of the Third Order rather than the usual uniform for teachers.

In 1918 he began studies in the state school and then proceeded to the Jesuit College of St Joseph in Ambozontany.   In 1928 he concluded the studies and was awarded the teaching diploma and in the same year became a parish teacher in Vohipeno, making his own the motto of the Society of Jesus:  Ad maiorem Dei gloriam.

On 10 October 1930 he married Suzanna Soazana in the parish church of Vohipeno and on the following September 12 their son Vincent de Paul Hermann was born, the first of their eight children, of which only five survived. 

Lucien was an excellent teacher, working not only as the village teacher but also in the parish, with generous availability to the needy. In addition to Malagasy, he knew French, Latin, German, and Chinese.   He was an exceptional musician, becoming  the director of the parish choir.   He was also an athlete and is described as always smiling and joyful.

After the Second World War, in the years 1946-1947, there grew in Madagascar the desire for independence from France.   In 1946, as supporter of independence, Tsimihoño, from the Clan of Ambohimanarivo, became king (Mpanjaka).  At Vohipeno there were also violent clashes between the two factions. 

Quickly, Catholics became viewed as French loyalists, and officials throughout the country began turning against them. Their immediate targets were those who were among the religious.

 On March 30, 1947, Palm Sunday, the parish church was burned and so began the king’s hunt for the ‘Christian teacher,’ Lucien Botovasoa, who was respected by both the Catholics and others in Vohipeno.  Lucien was commanded to appear, or his family would be massacred.

Lucien, realizing what was happening, entrusted his wife and children to his brother and returned to Vohipene telling his wife and children, “Whatever happens, do not EVER separate yourself from God. I am not afraid of death. and I will find bliss in heaven.”

Around nine o’clock in the evening of April 17, his brother André and two cousins, under threat of death, were charged with arresting Lucien.   Brought to the house of the king Tsimihoño, he was condemned to death without any trial.   

 Lucien was to be killed at the edge of the Matitanana river and en route asked to stop and reflect. He knelt for sometime in deep reflection before continuing along the path. Upon their arrival, his captors wanted to tie his hands together though he offered to do that himself in the form of a cross. He knelt at the edge of the water in contemplation, noting that the executioners were men that he himself had taught at school as students at some stage. The chief executioner beheaded  Lucien with his sword and the others took turns striking a blow or wetting the sword in his blood before tossing his remains into the waters. He died in his beige khaki jacket and trousers with a black cord for a belt.

 Incredibly, not long after the man who had judged him and passed sentence on him converted to Christianity.

Blessed Lucien is counted among the patrons of married couples, fathers, and teachers. 

In 2011 Pope Benedict XVI named him Servant of God and in 2017 Pope Francis beatified him.  His feast is April 14.