By Sr. Rosario del Oliveira, RGS, Formation House Contact Member, Ermesinde, Portugal, Region of Europe South
In their video testimonies, the Ermesinde community of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd, in northern Portugal, shares a story deeply rooted in God’s love and mercy. At the heart of their journey is the Good Shepherd, whose loving presence has accompanied, guided, and sustained the sisters throughout the years in the mission entrusted to them: welcoming, protecting, and serving children and young adults, especially those in vulnerable situations, and offering them care, support, hope, and opportunities to transform their lives.
The history of this place is also connected with the inspiring presence of bienheureuse Maria Droste zu Vischering., who was appointed superior of the Good Shepherd community in Porto, where she lived until her death on June 8, 1899. Her mortal remains are venerated in the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Ermesinde. Her life of faith, dedication, and love for the Good Shepherd remains a precious part of the spiritual heritage of the sisters and of the mission carried forward in Portugal.
With grateful hearts, the community remembers all the sisters who have lived and served here, whose faith, generosity, and dedication have left a lasting legacy. Their story is also woven with the lives of the children and young adults who have found shelter, care, and support in the community, as well as neighbors, friends, and benefactors whose friendship, closeness, and collaboration have helped build a history of service, fraternity, and hope.
More than a collection of memories, this video is a celebration of relationships, shared experiences, and countless gestures of kindness. It honors the bonds that have made Ermesinde a place where people have found welcome, protection, encouragement, and a sense of belonging — truly, a place with a mother’s heart.
As Saint Mary Euphrasia, our foundress, reminds us: “La gratitude est la mémoire du cœur. »
With this sharing, the Ermesinde community expresses its heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has been part of its journey. It is a tribute to the past, a celebration of the lives touched and friendships nurtured, and a renewed expression of hope for the future.
Ermesinde: a place where love welcomes, compassion cares, faith sustains, and gratitude keeps every memory alive.
