The Casa do Menino Deus, from 1929 to the present – ​​the role of the Venerable Third Order of Saint Francis and the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Mary

By government order, and with the consent of the Barcelos City Council, on November 1, 1928, it was determined that the use and administration of the Recolhimento e Asilo de Infância Desvalida do Menino Deus would be handed over to the Venerable Third Order of Saint Francis (VOTSF). The following year, on June 1, the leadership of the Third Order decided to hand over internal management to the Institute of the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Mary, on August 16, 1929.

Thus, from October 30, 1929 and until 2012, the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Mary played a leading role in the education and Catholic formation of children and young people who attended the Casa do Menino Deus. These Sisters also played an important role in creating a home for children and youth, initially for girls.

Under the direction of the Venerable Order, the nursery school (1986), the kindergarten (1970) and the primary school were created in 1950. The latter was closed in 1979, but in 2009 the 1st cycle was reactivated. Over the years, educational spaces for the daycare center were increased, up to 100 users; for preschool, up to 175 children; and for the 1st cycle, up to 160 students. During this long period, recovery and restoration works were carried out at the Church and Recolhimento at different times (1945, 2012 and 2023).