A lifelong wish finally came true for 100-year-old José Francisco, who recently received Baptism, Confirmation, and First Communion—all on the same day. The deeply moving celebration took place at the Church of A-dos-Francos in Portugal, presided over by Father João de Brito with the support of the Parish of Caldas da Rainha.

José, born and raised in A-dos-Francos, spent his life working in agriculture. Though he ensured all seven of his children—six daughters and one son—were baptized, he himself never received the sacraments. The desire remained quietly in his heart for decades.

How the Dream Began

The path toward fulfilling his long-held wish began through an initiative of the Rotary Community Development Center (NRDC) of Caldas da Rainha and the Academy of Dreams. In July, José participated in an activity offering seniors immersive experiences through 360-degree virtual reality.

The moment he “attended” a virtual dance left him visibly moved, symbolically stepping out of the isolation of the nursing home room where he spends most of his days. During a conversation with the organizers, José revealed a regret he had carried all his life: never having been baptized.

He shared that the hardships of rural life—long workdays, exhaustion, and limited opportunities—kept him from receiving the sacraments. Now at 100, he believed it was “no longer worth it.” The team lovingly challenged that notion, assuring him, *“It’s never too late to fulfill a dream.”

Preparing for the Sacraments

With the encouragement of Father João Sobreiro and Father João de Brito, José began preparing for the sacraments. The priest visited him twice at the nursing home, offering personal spiritual guidance. On November 15, all three sacraments were joyfully celebrated.

One touching detail: the baptismal towel used during the ceremony was handmade by José’s late wife and had previously been used to baptize their children.

A Celebration of Faith and Gratitude

In an interview with Jornal das Caldas, José reflected on the experience with emotion:

“It was very beautiful. I really liked the new priest, Father João Brito. I liked everything. And my next dream is to turn 101 on March 4.”

For José, the day marked not only a spiritual milestone but a powerful reminder that dreams—no matter how long delayed—can still come true at any age.