The Catholic community in Dublin has as its primary mission to provide religious service to Brazilians residing in Ireland, mostly young exchange students, especially in the country’s capital. These are people who leave Brazil in search of an international experience to study English and work. Many stay in Dublin for only a few seasons, while others have settled on the island. In both cases, they become involved in the activities of our community, which becomes part of and gives meaning to their stay in Ireland. The work that has been carried out and the numerous participants are a living example that the New Evangelization is possible and necessary.
The community emerged in early 2009, when a small group of Brazilians, motivated by homesickness, met a priest who had been a missionary in Brazil and who agreed to celebrate Mass in Portuguese. The first Mass had fewer than 10 people and was celebrated in the Dominican chapel of Santa Catarina. However, they did not give up: they began to invite people in every way possible, with pamphlets and personal invitations in places frequented by Brazilians. In a few months, the chapel became too small, and they needed a larger church. Searching from church to church, they arrived at the Capuchin Friars on Church Street, who opened the church doors to the new community. Then, since the beginning of 2010, they began meeting at St. Mary of the Angels Church.
For the past several years, the community has had a chaplain, the Capuchin Friar Severino Pinheiro, who dedicates himself full-time to the pastoral service of the Brazilians.
