Did you know that within these walls of the Capela do Quartel do Bom Pastor lies a tale of faith and devotion? This chapel is part of the Convento do Bom Pastor in Porto. The convent is also known as Convento das Irmãs do Bom Pastor or Recolhimento do Bom Pastor. It sits on Rua de Vale Formoso in the parish of Paranhos.
Let me tell you about a remarkable woman who lived and died here. Her name was Sister Maria do Divino Coração. She was Countess Droste zu Vischering. She became the Mother Superior of the local Bom Pastor religious community. Sister Maria influenced Pope Leo XIII to consecrate the world to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
In 1964, the Catholic Church declared her venerable. Pope Paul VI beatified her on November 1, 1975. Because of Sister Maria, the convent and the Capela do Quartel do Bom Pastor became a pilgrimage site. Christians come here to deepen their devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. They seek inspiration from Sister Maria’s life and work.
The Capela do Quartel do Bom Pastor has two chapels for public worship. It also features a museum that holds many relics of the Blessed Sister Maria. Today, the Convento do Bom Pastor still functions as a convent for religious women. It also serves as a center for spirituality. This includes its two museum rooms.
Imagine the echoes of prayers that have filled this place for years. Picture the faithful, seeking solace and inspiration within these walls of the Capela do Quartel do Bom Pastor. Feel the presence of Sister Maria do Divino Coração. Her spirit continues to inspire those who visit. The Capela do Quartel do Bom Pastor stands as a testament to faith. It honors devotion and the enduring legacy of a remarkable woman.