Volunteering at Católica: Students Commit to Serving the Community

Around 200 students from Católica have committed to regular volunteering for the 2025/2026 academic year. The traditional Commitment Ceremony of CAtólica SOlidária (CASO) is one of the most meaningful moments of the year, as it marks the formal beginning of each volunteer’s journey. Under the theme “Educating in Hope, Forming for Life”, the session highlighted that volunteering is far more than an extracurricular activity — it is a living expression of hope and a commitment to a fairer and more fraternal world.

The nearly 200 new volunteers will be distributed across 37 institutions in the city, a clear sign of the academic community’s involvement in building bridges of solidarity.

The ceremony, held on 19 November, included remarks by Isabel Braga da Cruz, Pro-Rector of Católica, who emphasised that every act of service is a seed planted for a better future. This was followed by three inspiring testimonies from former volunteers: Benedita Gonçalves, Catarina Almeida and José Veiga.

CASO also announced two initiatives: a photography contest for volunteers, with an exhibition on International Volunteer Day (5 December); and a Christmas challenge: preparing solidarity hampers for seven partner institutions, bringing hope to those most in need.

Each volunteer who made the commitment received “Esperancitina”, a special box designed to resemble a medicine and containing an inspiring “leaflet”.

What is Esperancitina?

According to its leaflet, each dose contains Concentrated Solidarity (30%), Pure Empathy (25%), Active Listening (15%), Joy in Service (15%) and Perseverance and Commitment (15%). It is indicated for treating social indifference, civic apathy and lack of purpose, with highly desirable side effects: spontaneous smiles, a sense of meaning, heightened gratitude and the creation of lasting bonds. The dosage is simple: one daily dose, or whenever motivation is lacking, with unlimited duration. And, as the leaflet states, “its effects are enhanced when shared in a group”.

Esperancitina is not just a symbol, but also an invitation for every volunteer to live hope daily, with joy and commitment.