Yesterday the universal church celebrated Elizabeth of Portugal known in her home country as Saint Queen Elizabeth. Elizabeth born in Zaragoza, Spain in 1271, she was the daughter of Peter III of Aragon and was married off to King Denis of Portugal in 1282.  From the beginning Elizabeth showed a great compassion to the poor. ...read more

Looking back on my path as Catholic, I need to highlight one movement in particular that has been changing the life of Portuguese boys and girls for 44 years. This movement is “Convivios- Fraternos” or, in a direct translation, “Fraternal Gatherings”. What is this movement? What makes it so special to after more than 40 ...read more

One of the most important solemnities of the Catholic calendar is Corpus Christi, the celebration of Christ present in the Eucharist. Around the world there are numerous traditions connected with this feast. In the Middle Ages in Europe Corpus Christi processions were the most important events in the cities every year. Every one was waiting ...read more

Six o’clock in the morning of a December 16  on a island planted in the middle of the Atlantic ocean, church bells ring.  It is the first day of a Christmas novena on the Portuguese island of Madeira. The novena is called Missas do parto, or Labour Masses. These Masses happen early in the morning ...read more

The following post was submitted by Carlos Ferreira, a new addition to the S+L team. Coming from Europe to join to the Salt + Light team, more specifically from Portugal, is an experience of faith. After a big event like WYD Madrid – where I worked for the organizing committee’s communications department – I came ...read more

As many as one million people turned out to see Pope Benedict during his four-day trip to Portugal last week. Catholic News Service’s Carol Glatz and John Thavis take a look at the Holy Father’s second Apostolic Voyage of 2010. To download Flash Player please click here The trip to Portugal was also the topic ...read more