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29 February 2016 – \u201cFr Jean-Simon was a true soldier of Jesus. He struggled to help the poorest of the poor, the excluded and the oppressed. He was the one whom people turned to when they were in need.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n This is how Masy Razafindradama remembers Fr Jean-Simon Ratsimbazafy SJ, a Malagasy Jesuit who died after an illness, aged 52, on 21 January 2016. His death is a huge loss for the poor and sick people he served; for the staff at the Centre Social Arrupe (CSA), which he set up and ran for many years; for the national struggle against HIV and AIDS; and for the African Jesuit AIDS Network (AJAN), of which he was a veteran and valued member.<\/span><\/p>\n Fr Jean-Simon was the creator and driving force behind the Action chr\u00e9tienne dans la lutte contre le VIH\/sida (Christian action in the struggle against HIV and AIDS), a project initiated within the CSA in Antananarivo. If this project is the dynamic, creative and flourishing venture that it is now, it is largely thanks to him.<\/span><\/p>\n Fr Jean-Simon set up the project in 2006, in collaboration with AJAN, because he was convinced that the struggle against AIDS and related stigma, rejection and poverty, is an integral part of the mission of the Jesuit social apostolate \u201cto fight for the justice of the Gospel and against poverty in all its forms \u2013 socio-economic, moral and political\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n Writing to his provincial about the project back then, Fr Jean-Simon quoted Jesuit General Congregation 34: \u201cThe Risen Lord\u2026 is now present in all who suffer, all who are oppressed, all whose lives are broken by sin. As he is present, so we too want to be present, in solidarity and compassion, where the human family is most damaged.\u201d (Decree 2, no.4)<\/span><\/p>\n Fr Jean-Simon was tireless in the range of activities he launched as head of the CSA. All had distinct aims \u2013 AIDS awareness, healthcare, family ministry, value-based education, healthcare, radio transmissions \u2013 and were implemented in close partnership with others. All were harmonized and harnessed in a bid to bring life \u201cto the full\u201d to the poorest and most marginalized, among them people living with HIV.<\/span><\/p>\n Busy as he was with his many projects, Fr Jean-Simon was never too busy to care for the poor individually. \u201cAlthough his time was fully occupied, Fr Jean-Simon always found time for the sick,\u201d continues Masy. \u201cIn particular, he lent an attentive ear and stretched out his hand to those who were marginalized and discriminated against \u2013 something always done with the greatest discretion.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Like Masy, Dr Zo\u00e9 Randriana was another long-time collaborator of Fr Jean-Simon at the CSA. She recalls: \u201cHe was profoundly altruistic. When we went for field visits, we referred children who had a harelip and others who were physically disabled or severely ill. Fr Jean-Simon used to take them himself for their hospital appointments, he went to seek them out and accompanied them for their appointments and surgery. He would visit people until they got better. Just recently, when we went for a field visit to Ambohitra with Fr Paterne, the AJAN Director, an elderly women hugged me and whispered: \u2018We are orphans.\u2019\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n The people who were recruited by Fr Jean-Simon at the CSA, and who worked with him over the years, will miss him terribly. They remember a man who was determined, decisive, professional, efficient, meticulous in all he did, and a stickler for time. And a man with a sense of humour.<\/span>\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cAt the CSA, he was appreciated for his availability to his co-workers too. His personality, loyal character, and charitable and benevolent heart made him an admirable, respectable and respected man,\u201d says Masy.<\/span><\/p>\n Fr Jean-Simon was able to achieve all he did \u2013 truly a considerable amount \u2013 because he was totally committed. Masy describes him as \u201ctruly devoted to the mission that the Society of Jesus had entrusted to him. Driven by his strong faith conviction, he implemented each task he was responsible for, and gave the best of himself. And everything he did, he did for the greater glory of God.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/p>\n Something that Zo\u00e9 remembers about Fr Jean-Simon is that he \u201cliked to learn from others.\u201d She said: \u201cIn the 10 years I worked with him, he never hesitated to sit down with the project animators, teachers, medical personnel and others to learn a bit more about AIDS.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Fr Jean-Simon was truly a remarkable man, a \u201cman for others\u201d, who leaves behind a remarkable legacy for the Church in Madagascar, especially its AIDS ministry. His was truly a life lived to the full, each day packed with intense efforts to bring the Good News of the Kingdom of God to those who most needed to hear it.<\/span><\/p>\n Thank you, Fr Jean-Simon, for all you were to all those you met and to the African Jesuit AIDS Network, where you will be very much missed. May you rest in peace and rise in glory.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 29 February 2016 – \u201cFr Jean-Simon was a true soldier of Jesus. He struggled to help the poorest of the poor, the excluded and the oppressed. He was the one whom people turned to when they were in need.\u201d This is how Masy Razafindradama remembers Fr Jean-Simon Ratsimbazafy SJ, a<\/p>\n