At the request of the Congregation of the Oblates of the Divine Heart in Beja, Laetus designed and developed the website for Dom José do Patrocínio Dias. This project is a tribute to his legacy, his contributions, and what he left behind.
Reflecting various moments from Dom José’s life, this initiative aims to particularly highlight the character of a man who faced immense challenges, including the devastating war in Europe and the material and spiritual poverty in the Diocese of Beja. A catalyst for change, mobilizer of wills, and a unifier of generous sentiments, Dom José is portrayed as a man with a vision for the Church in Baixo Alentejo and an evangelical action plan for all, starting with the most impoverished.
Dom José played a pivotal role in the restoration of the Diocese and Baixo Alentejo. This tribute is not only a duty of gratitude but also a call for us, as a Church, to continue in the same spirit of dedication to those who seek us and whom we must seek.
Those of the past were not necessarily better than we can be, but we must prove it. As an old saying from ancient sages goes, “On their shoulders, we can see further than they could.”
The legacy of Dom José do Patrocínio Dias is indispensable to the history of Portugal (and Portuguese Catholicism), especially in the regions of Covilhã and Beja. A man whose life reflects the actions of a true human being.
“We were truly fortunate to find the right people. You are deep in the essence of what we wanted. You don’t just scratch the surface; you go further, perhaps due to your profession, experience, and also the kindness of your heart… You were admirable.”
— Sister Teresa Geraldo, Congregation of the Oblates of the Divine Heart
