Easter Sunday: “It is up to us, like Jesus, to go about doing good.”

Easter Sunday: “It is up to us, like Jesus, to go about doing good.”

Thousands of pilgrims gathered on Easter Sunday morning at the Basilica of the Holy Trinity to celebrate what is the greatest moment of the Christian faith.

During the Easter Sunday Mass, the rector of the Shrine of Fatima, Father Carlos Cabecinhas, recalled that the resurrection of Jesus is the core of the Christian faith and emphasized that “celebrating Easter means seeing things differently,” insofar as it implies “a perspective from God on the reality of our lives and the world in which we live.”

Before a large congregation in the Basilica of the Holy Trinity, the presider highlighted the presence of the risen Christ in concrete acts of solidarity, emphasizing that faith is revealed in dedication to others and in the fight against indifference.

The priest noted that there are many “ways in which the risen Jesus makes himself present,” particularly in those who “dedicate themselves, heart and soul, to helping others.” As a recent example, he cited the solidarity shown in response to the storms that marked the beginning of the year, as well as the various support campaigns that mobilized society.

Faced with an often pessimistic view of reality, Father Carlos Cabecinhas warned of the risk that Christians might focus excessively on the idea of God’s absence. “Perhaps we lament too much,” he said, arguing that the divine presence can be recognized precisely in the care and compassion shown by others in everyday life.

The homily also issued a direct call to action: more than simply recognizing the good, the faithful are called to become signs of that presence themselves. “Celebrating Easter is also this: overcoming indifference,” emphasized the celebrant. “We bear witness to the living and risen Christ when we do not close ourselves off in our own selfishness, when we do not shut ourselves away in our legitimate or more or less petty interests, and when we are willing to open ourselves to others through concrete gestures of attention, love, and self-giving,” he noted.

In a global context marked by wars, uncertainty, and loneliness, Father Carlos Cabecinhas recalled the importance of Christian witness as a source of hope. “There is no better summary of our life: ‘He went about doing good,’” he said.

The priest concluded his homily with an invitation to actively live out the Easter faith by promoting joy, hope, and solidarity. And he reiterated: “It is up to us, like Jesus, to go about doing good.”

During the celebration of Mass this Easter Sunday, a chalice of historical and artistic value, belonging to the collection of the Museum of the Shrine of Fatima, was used. The piece, crafted by the Porto-based goldsmith Manuel Rodrigues Teixeira before 1933, holds special significance not only for its technical quality and ornamental richness but also for its historical journey. It was previously used during Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to Cova da Iria, at the celebration on May 13, 2010.

The Easter Sunday Mass was accompanied by a brass ensemble, which joined the Fátima Shrine choir and the resident organist. The celebration was enriched by two trumpets (Carolina Alves and Gonçalo Nunes), a French horn (Sebastião Reis), a trombone (Hugo Pedrosa), and a tuba (Miguel Alves).