Sr. Thaís Vogt: “In Psychology, we are the instrument of our work.”

You're originally from Brazil, but you've been living in Portugal for five years. What brought you here?

As a sister of the Secular Institute of the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary, I was undergoing formation in Brazil when I was challenged by my provincial superior to come to Portugal. Since then, I’ve been striving to dedicate my efforts to serving Schoenstatt’s mission in this country, embracing it as though it were my own homeland. I hadn’t expected to be in Portugal, but I see that it is God who leads my life, and that He was the one who called me to be here.

When did you join the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary?

I left my parents’ home when I was 16. At that age, I went to live alongside the community, though without officially joining it. It was a time of vocational discernment—a period of searching and reflection. It was only three years later that I began my proper formation, already with the desire to become a Sister of Mary. As Schoenstatt Sisters, we have a Marian spirituality, but with Christ at the centre. We believe that Mary, who loved Jesus so deeply, is the one who helps us bring Him into the world. We want to love Jesus as Mary did — to be a living presence of Jesus and Mary in the world. Many people know us through the image of the Pilgrim Mother, which is always present during mission weeks in the Missão País project. With this image, we go out into the world, striving to be for others what God is for us.

“In following this vocation, God didn’t take away my dreams—on the contrary, He added even more to my life.”

What drives you?

I joined the community in search of meaning and purpose in life. I always had a very normal life, so to speak. I had very present parents and many friends, with whom I still maintain close ties. Yet I felt that something was missing — as though there were a void that needed filling. When I went to live with the sisters at 16, I realised that becoming a sister didn’t mean giving up my freedom. Quite the opposite — I was discovering it in a much deeper way. People often focus first on what is lost when entering religious life and rarely on what is gained. The world tends to believe that being a sister means living cloistered and always praying, or that it’s a path chosen by women who didn’t find companionship. But that view is very far from reality. It’s not a prison—it’s a purpose. I found the meaning of my life. In following this vocation, God didn’t take away my dreams—on the contrary, He added even more to my life. I feel fulfilled — through my vocation, and through the profession I’m building.

And that’s where your passion for Psychology comes in...

Psychology has been in my heart for a long time. I’ve always had three great loves: Psychology, Medicine, and Music. I was immensely fond of all three, and for a while, I felt confused about which path to take. However, I’ve always been someone who enjoys a challenge, and Psychology revealed itself as a particularly demanding and fascinating field in many ways. In Psychology, we are the instrument of our work. We need to be able to look at others without losing focus on ourselves—that’s what we call self-care. If we’re not well, it’s very hard to help others. I also feel strongly about challenging the idea that Psychology is just for “crazy” people. Thankfully, the current generation is breaking down that stigma, recognising the important contribution this science makes to promoting a healthy and functional lifestyle. Psychology is urgent — more relevant than ever — and it is absolutely vital to invest in the training of qualified professionals who can respond to the emerging needs of society.

“More than just a career path, I see this journey as a mission.”

What has stood out the most at the Faculty of Education and Psychology of the Universidade Católica?

I feel like I’m in the right place. In every professor, I see genuine dedication. They’re not just there to deliver content — they go far beyond that. A phrase from Professor António Fonseca has stayed with me and continues to inspire me: “As psychologists, we don’t want to save the whole world. We want to save one person at a time.”

This year, the Psychology programme celebrates its 20th anniversary, and we recently marked the Psychology Days, an extraordinary moment that further strengthened the spirit of community that unites us. From the very first day, I felt warmly welcomed. Perhaps the habit I wear might have caused some initial curiosity, but a very beautiful relationship quickly developed, and today there is a great sense of ease in asking me anything.

I extend my heartfelt thanks to my colleagues and professors — true beacons on my journey. It is precisely this respect, this closeness, this atmosphere of growth and sharing that makes the Universidade Católica much more than a place of intellectual learning —it becomes a place that teaches us how to be more human.

What are your dreams for your professional future?

I dream of pursuing a career in clinical and health psychology. I must confess that ever since I had Neuroscience with Professor Patrícia Oliveira-Silva, I’ve developed a deep interest in the subject. I also dream of working in prevention and researching cancer and its relationship with stress and lifestyle. I firmly believe that understanding these connections can be a turning point in improving quality of life, strengthening protective factors and reducing risk. More than just a professional path, I see this journey as a mission. My goal is to contribute to people’s health and wellbeing, practising my profession with responsibility, sensitivity, and ethics — committed to people’s rights and duties, and attentive to their basic needs.