The Bishop of Angra appealed this Sunday to the consecrated men and women of the Azores to be “guardians of hope” and “builders of unity” during his homily at the Mass celebrated at the Jubilee of the Religious of the Azores in the Cathedral, which brought together for the first time representatives of the eight religious institutes present in the archipelago.
The moment, marked by a strong spirit of communion and gratitude for the presence and mission of consecrated persons on the islands, was very symbolic. “I embrace all of you who carry out your mission. I embrace the diocese on the islands where you are… You are all very important,” said D. Armando Esteves Domingues at the beginning of the celebration.
In his homily, the prelate emphasized that Christ is the door of hope and that it is in Him that religious should find motivation to continue serving with joy and fidelity.
“Let us pray always, let us pray without losing heart, because our help comes from the Lord. Only in God can we find shelter,” he said, adding, “to love is to pray, and to pray is to love, and it never tires.”
The bishop reminded everyone that each person is “a gift from God” and invited the consecrated to rediscover the “spark of the beginning of their vocation,” living “the adventure of following God more closely and giving Him everything, also in love for their brothers and sisters.”
Inspired by the Gospel reading of the day, the Bishop of Angra highlighted the figure of the widow who, with courage and perseverance, seeks justice. “She is a dignified woman, full of strength, who does not surrender to injustice. She teaches us to hunger and thirst for justice, not to give up, even when everything advises us to stop,” he said.
From this example, he challenged our social conscience: “Are the less fortunate not human beings? Do the weak not have the same dignity as us? The value of society depends on the answer we give. Either we regain moral and social dignity, or we fall into a pit of filth.”

The prelate also recalled that the Jubilee coincides with World Mission Day, emphasizing that “life is a mission” and that “it is beautiful to recognize that God is the one who guards and shelters each one of us.”
The Bishop of Angra warned of “the human crisis” that contemporary society is going through, marked by disorientation, the isolation of the elderly, and the loss of the ability to look at those who live beside us. “Closeness is dying out; we are all connected virtually, but we are not in relationship. The desire for productivity and efficiency causes us to focus only on ourselves, incapable of altruism,“ he warned.
For the prelate, ”the Gospel lived in concrete terms can help restore humanity and dignity to people,” and the religious have an essential role in this mission.
In a message of encouragement, the Bishop of Angra asked religious to participate actively in the life of the Church: “Be experts in synodality. Participate in parish communities, councils, and the diocese’s formation proposals. Contribute to the development of a spirituality of communion.”
In conclusion, the Bishop of Angra appealed for hope and peace: “There is a great need for hope and peace that dwells in the heart of every man and woman. Let us be builders of harmony, with words and gestures that enliven our coexistence. May God’s love continue to be your shelter and your strength,” as can be read on the Azores Church website.

In Correio dos Açores-Natalino Viveiros, director.