Fr. Andrew Dernovsek walking with three children along a dusty path in Madagascar

Fr. Andrew Dernovsek, MEP Catholic missionary priest in Madagascar

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Name: Miara-dalana
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Faith, Life, and Mission on the Eighth Continent

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Miara-dalana: together on the Way

After months of anticipation, I finally arrived in Madagascar. The final weeks in France were a whirlwind: first Masses, last confessions, final meals shared together, and many heartfelt goodbyes. Since my ordination on September 6th, life has been wonderfully full. It has been a time rich in grace, though also very busy. Now, at last, I am grateful to have arrived—to slow down, to settle in, and to begin the work that lies ahead. The day before my departure for Madagascar, M

Jan 176 min read

Recent Articles

Traveling with Strangers

I woke up early, said my goodbyes to the people at Holy Family Parish, and then Fr. Gabriel took me to the “bush taxi” station. The next MEP brother priest on my list was Bishop George, the bishop of the Diocese of Port-Bergé (Boriziny). Mandritsara is in the Diocese of Port-Bergé, and I was travelling to the city that bears the diocese’s name. When we arrived, the taxi wasn’t ready to leave yet, so Fr. Gabriel bought me a cup of some very suspicious-looking coffee at the tax

First Steps into the Bush

After a few days of rest at the MEP mother house in Antananarivo, the MEP country superior sent me to go and visit the different missionaries in their missions. MEP missionaries only come home for a bit of rest and to visit their families once every three years, which means that there are many MEP missionaries whom I’ve never even met, and others whom I’ve only met briefly. So the objective of my visits was first to get to know my brother priests serving in Madagascar, and th

Miara-dalana: together on the Way

After months of anticipation, I finally arrived in Madagascar. The final weeks in France were a whirlwind: first Masses, last confessions, final meals shared together, and many heartfelt goodbyes. Since my ordination on September 6th, life has been wonderfully full. It has been a time rich in grace, though also very busy. Now, at last, I am grateful to have arrived—to slow down, to settle in, and to begin the work that lies ahead. The day before my departure for Madagascar, M

Support

You can support my mission in Madagascar in several ways: by keeping the MEP missionaries and the people of Madagascar in your prayers; by requesting a Mass intention for yourself, a loved one, or a special need; or by providing financial support for the mission work in Madagascar.

Each form of support is a true participation in the mission. Together, through prayer, sacrifice, and shared generosity, we continue this journey of faith, hope, and love — miara-dalana, walking together on the Way.

Hands joined in prayer, Miara-dalana prayer team

Join the Prayer Team

A mission is never carried alone, but by hearts united in prayer. Join the prayer team and walk with us, sustaining the people and work of the mission in faith, hope, and love.

Fr. Andrew Dernovsek celebrating his first Mass in Madagascar

Mass Intentions

A Mass intention is a sacred gift of prayer, uniting your intention to Christ’s sacrifice on the altar. Through this offering, you help provide for my daily needs and sustain my mission as I serve Christ and His Church in Madagascar.

Construction of a new chapel in Mandritsara, Madagascar

Donate

In Madagascar, the Church is a steady presence in moments of hardship as well as abundance. By giving to the general mission fund, you stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Christ who are most in need.

“All the good works in the world are not equal to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, because they are the works of men, while the Mass is the work of God.”

St. John Vianney

Fr. Andrew's Daily Mass Intentions