Christmas is a time to remember "that we are more than ourselves"

"Christmas is a particularly important time to remember that we are more than ourselves". It was with these words that the President of the Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Isabel Capeloa Gil, welcomed the academic community gathered to celebrate the "most important moment in the Christian calendar, Christmas," at the party held on 14 December, in the Hall of the Cardinal Medeiros Auditorium at the headquarters of Católica.

In the year in which the University celebrates 55 years of existence, the President of the University referred the importance of remembering the path travelled: "We started as a small university with three faculties. Today we are a community of almost 20,000 people, around 100 different nationalities, we are an international community, we have a projection outside the national space and we are distributed over 4 campi in the country," the President underlined.

Progress that has granted Católica the status of one of "the most recognised universities in Portugal", and in the world, as highlighted by Isabel Capeloa Gil: "I am extremely proud to repeat that for the 4th consecutive year we are the 1st ranked university by the Times Higher Education ranking."

A recognition that is due to the fact that Católica is "much more than a national University, and much more than a centre of knowledge. It is an institution of development, of empowerment of the country, of Europe and of the world".

The President also highlighted the efforts of the academic community, "in the dedication and service to our students and also in what they do to continue to project and develop the great name of the Universidade Católica."

Leaving vows of gratitude, the President of the University invited those present to "celebrate what we are, the much we have done, and what we will continue to be."

This was followed by a concert by the CATÓLICA-LISBON Big Band, a jazz group that brings together employees, students, teachers and alumni, which provided a unique moment of joy among all those who make up the Católica community.

 

 

Related News

Católica
Católica closes for holidays on different dates in Porto, Lisbon, Braga and Viseu
The headquarters and three campuses of the Universidade Católica Portuguesa, in Lisbon, Porto, Braga and Viseu, will close for holidays. Check here for the periods per campus and the minimum services guaranteed at each location.

Thu, 07/08/2025

Católica
Universidade Católica Portuguesa is the higher education institution that the Portuguese trust the most
For the second year running, Católica was voted the higher education institution most favoured by consumers in the “Trusted Brands” survey, conducted annually by Reader’s Digest Selecções magazine. Find out more here.

Tue, 07/04/2026

Social Responsibility Católica
Students from Católica take part in the “Estar Juntos” programme and bring generations together
“Estar Juntos” programme, organised by Scholas Occurrentes — a foundation founded on the initiative of Pope Francis — in partnership with Universidade Católica Portuguesa and Cáritas Diocesana de Lisboa, held its first edition in Lisbon.

Tue, 31/03/2026