“Give you the Teacher.” This was a dream of little João Bosco. He was just nine years old and understood nothing. Much later in May 1887, he understood it fully. It was not just a dream. It was a dream that showed him the way. It showed him the mission to fulfill step by step. Here before us stands the Igreja de Nossa Senhora Auxiliadora.
Our Lady often appeared in subsequent dreams. Her ready intercession accompanied the history of the Salesian Society of Saint Francis de Sales. This was especially true in the most difficult times. Saint Founder was tireless in making the Blessed Virgin Mary known and loved. He always invoked Her under the title Auxilium Christianorum. This means Mary Help of Christians.
Braga was the first city in Portugal to welcome Dom Bosco’s sons. That was the Colégio de São Caetano in 1894. They arrived in Lisbon two years later. They founded the Oficinas de São José. Its new headquarters opened in 1906. It reopened in 1920.
The parish of Prazeres was born later in 1962. This came from a reformulation. It annexed the parishes of Santo Condestável, Estrela, and Alcântara. One year earlier on December 8, 1961, the first stone of the Igreja de Nossa Senhora Auxiliadora was blessed. It is next to the Prazeres cemetery. Architect João Simões designed it. It arose as a first-order necessity. Despite tremendous financial difficulties they did not give up. They wanted to build a great temple in the Nation’s Capital. It would be dedicated to the Virgin Help of Christians. This is according to the Salesian Bulletin of March 1962.
The Igreja de Nossa Senhora Auxiliadora was consecrated on January 30, 1964. The Apostolic Nuncio in Portugal presided over the celebration. Relics of Saint John Bosco, Saint Dominic Savio, and the martyrs Saint Timothy and Saint Daria were present. The main facade has modern features. A detached tower forms its central body. Inside, the triumphal arch has mosaic panels. The organ tubes decorate the chancel wall symmetrically. The stained-glass windows provide lighting.
The Igreja de Nossa Senhora Auxiliadora is a special place for prayer. It radiates interiority and spirituality. This is true for all who attend. It is a school or parish. Over the years the church has undergone several interventions. These aim to embellish it. They also want to improve its functionality.
On January 30, 2014, they celebrated 50 years of dedication. This was the eve of the celebration of Saint John Bosco. During these celebrations they blessed a marble image of Our Lady Help of Christians. It is about two meters high. It was placed on the church’s facade. This was a long-awaited aspiration.
The Igreja de Nossa Senhora Auxiliadora is a meeting place for families. It is a place for successive generations. This is especially true for former students. It has played an essential role for six decades. It serves as a parish center. It also enhances daily life at the College. Its courtyard and classrooms provide calmness. It is an entry point and a point of reference. This is an example of the architectural matrix of all Salesian spaces around the world.
Hic domus mea, inde gloria mea. This is my house, from here my glory will come. This is true for Lisbon as well. So remember the story of Igreja de Nossa Senhora Auxiliadora.