The bishop of Funchal, D. Nuno Brás, presided on Sunday, September 14, 2026, at the Mass of the Festival of the Lord of Patience, held at the Monastery of Santo António, in Funchal, Madeira. The celebration was concelebrated by fathers André Pinheiro and Aires Gameiro, and was followed by the usual procession through the site of Pomar Miradouro.
In the homily, D. Nuno Brás stated that having patience implies having a "heart as great as the Lord" and that God is always waiting for the human being to grow and change. The bishop questioned the temptations to think that God cannot save, underscoring that the Christian faith reminds us that God remains present even in the midst of difficulties, suffering, and sorrow.
The Catholic leader rejected the idea that lack of patience is a small fragility and warned against feelings of hatred and resentment that can remain for years, preventing the person from moving forward. He argued that eternal life is not merely a future reality, but the life of God that begins already now, even in the midst of suffering.
D. Nuno Brás also addressed a special word to the Clarisse Sisters, who have been the guardians of this festival for more than half a century, wishing that the celebration would be for them a sign and a help in living the Christian life and prayer. The festival began on September 10 and included confessions, adoration of the Most Holy Sacrament, Vespers prayer, and moments of musical and cultural entertainment.
