The Universidade Católica Portuguesa in Porto celebrated, on 17 and 18 October, the blessing and graduation ceremony for its new graduates. The Ilídio Pinho Auditorium once again filled with students for a moment of recognition and celebration, marking the end of one chapter and the beginning of new personal and professional journeys.
Isabel Capeloa Gil, rector of the UCP, addressed the new graduates with a message of great confidence: “Society is counting on you to contribute to a better future. The UCP will continue to stand by your side as you embark on this journey.” She also underlined the role of the university as a place of restlessness and inspiration: “Católica is a restless institution. May the humanist spirit of restlessness that defines Católica inspire you.”
Isabel Braga da Cruz, pro-rector of the UCP, highlighted the symbolic value of the diploma now received: “The diploma you receive today is much more than a simple document: it symbolises a journey of resilience, perseverance, skill development, the discovery of talents and the building of friendships that will last beyond the classroom.” She added: “You carry with you this distinctive mark — that of uniting academic excellence with the living of values. This is perhaps your greatest diploma. I hope you continue to learn, to question and to serve.”
Representing the graduates, Mateus Leite Costa, from the Faculty of Biotechnology, shared that “Today marks the end of a stage, the culmination of several years of effort, but also of memories, friends, colleagues, and teachers. All these people we take with us for life.”
Diogo Mota, from the Double Degree in Law and Management, offered a message of gratitude, especially to the lecturers for their “demanding standards and patience”. “The diploma is a starting point. From Católica, we take the best of each other,” he added.
The Auxiliary Bishop of Porto, D. Joaquim Dionísio, stated: “May your life be lived with passion. May the professional career you are about to begin also be filled with your passion.” D. Vitorino Soares shared with the graduates the importance of the “soldier” condition: “We need soldiers with spirit — soldiers who dream, soldiers who are adventurous and ready to give their lives. In your future, even if you become generals, never forget your condition as soldiers.”
During the ceremony, awards and scholarships from the faculties and partner institutions were also presented: the Faculty of Biotechnology Award, the Francisco Carvalho Guerra Award, the D. Júlio Tavares Rebimbas Scholarship, the St. Francis of Assisi Award, and the Portuguese Society for the History of Nursing Award.
The ceremony was a remarkable moment of academic celebration and reinforced the Universidade Católica Portuguesa’s commitment to closeness and to valuing the journey of its students.
