“Estar Juntos” programme, organised by Scholas Occurrentes — a foundation founded on the initiative of Pope Francis — in partnership with Universitade Católica Portuguesa and Cáritas Diocesana de Lisboa, held its first event in Lisbon, bringing together students from the university and elderly people from the São Jorge de Arroios Parish Centre for a transformative intergenerational experience.

Over the course of several weeks, students from Universidade Católica Portuguesa actively participated in this programme, which had a profound human and educational impact. The initiative was organised into two weekly sessions: training sessions at the Universidade Católica headquarters in Lisbon, and meetings with elderly people at the São Jorge de Arroios Social and Parish Centre.

The methodology was structured in two complementary phases. In the first phase, the student volunteers took part in a training programme facilitated by Scholas, designed as a space for experiential learning. This process encouraged the development of an attitude of presence and openness towards others, through forms of expression such as play, painting, sculpture and writing.

The next stage involved meetings with older adults, recognised as “wise” for the richness of their life stories. The activities were tailored to each participant’s pace, fostering closeness, emotional expression and the sharing of memories.

The students’ accounts highlight the initiative’s impact. “I take away fond memories, afternoons well spent and a fuller heart,” shared one participant, who also highlighted the positive impact felt in the company of the elderly. Another student emphasised the transformative nature of the experience: “It allowed me to look at the world in a more beautiful, purer way,” adding that these experiences contributed significantly to her personal growth.

Angela Arnaldo, a first-year Master’s student in Psychology at Universidade Católica Portuguesa, also described her participation as an experience characterised by three words: openness, surprise and connection. “I signed up with the intention of arriving without any expectations, simply open to ‘going along with it’, learning and embracing whatever the experience had to offer,” she recalls. For Ângela, the surprise came from discovering the richness hidden in the little stories, in the simple gestures and in the genuine way the elderly welcomed each participant, always ending the activities with the question: “... and when shall we meet again?”.

The third word, ‘connection’, was reflected in the bonds forged over the weeks, built on smiles that often spoke louder than any words. “Every meeting was an opportunity for transformation; I received infinitely more than I gave and always left with a heart full of gratitude,” she says, emphasising that the experience allowed her to touch upon fragility—both that of others and her own—and to recognise the beauty of shared humanity.

Initiatives such as “Estar Juntos”, developed within a university context and in collaboration with social partners, stand out as significant contributions to building a more humane society, where dialogue between generations is not only possible but necessary.