Portugal

October 1, 1991

On the Feast of St. Therese of Lisieux, Patroness of the Missions, the Society's Portuguese mission began through the juridical guidance of Brazil’s Mother of Mercy Region (Rio de Janeiro). There are two parishes entrusted to their ministry, those Odivelas and Our Lady of hte Fever. The Parish of Odivelas is made of 5 Churches, those being the Most Holy Name of Jesus, the Church of Divine Mercy, the Church of St. Joseph the Worker, and the Chapels of the Holy Family and he Divine Holy Spirit. Its apostoaltes are especially geared twoards pastoral work, pilgrimages, and the youth.

History of Odivelas

The oldest known document in the history of Odivelas is a Romanesque inscription found in the Odivelas Monestary, currently on display at the Museu do Carmo in Lisbon. It reads, “João Ramires, the Church's first prelate, died on 13 February 1183. In 1147, Lisbon was conquered by the Crusaders; João Ramires would be one of those Crusaders, who was in charge of the parish of Odivelas.”

Most Holy Name of Jesus Church

The Mother Church of the Odivelas Parish is known as one of the city's most ornate, which was rebuilt in the 17th century.

St. Joseph the Worker

On October 8, 1989, the first Eucharistic Celebration was held, then under 2 diocesan priests. The Church was first a classroom, then the outdoor shed - subject to all weather's elements. A Church constructed with the spiritual hands of its patron was then completed, for a community of 500 people.