Father José Maria Brito, founder of Ponto SJ, the Portuguese Jesuits' portal, died on Monday afternoon at the age of 48.

"It is with great sorrow and dismay, but also with immense gratitude for all the good received through his life, that the Portuguese Province of the Society of Jesus informs that Father José Maria Brito died this afternoon", reads a statement released by the Jesuits in Portugal, which also reveals that the priest died in Évora.

On Sunday, the priest had suffered "a stroke triggered by several tumours he was unaware of".

Founder of Ponto SJ, "which he ran with great enthusiasm and missionary spirit, he had been living in the Jesuit community in Évora for a year and a half".

It was in the Jesuit community of Évora that he "actively collaborated with the Archdiocese in the family pastoral team and with Casarão, the Archdiocese's university centre". He was also regional assistant of the Comunidade de Vida Cristã (CVX)- Além Tejo and president of the Gonçalo da Silveira Foundation.

"At this moment of great sadness and pain, we join with his family, friends and all those who had the blessing of crossing paths with Zé Maria throughout his life", the note concludes.

It should be noted that, today, a note released by Casarão, and signed by Father Miguel Gonçalves Ferreira, stated that the priest was in intensive care at the Évora hospital, "with a very serious prognosis", and had been given "the sacraments" at midnight. 

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