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<![CDATA[<p>Immigrants create new congregations and transform existing ones. Houses of worship make room for those they’d once shunned.</p> <p>Despite increasing secularism here and around the country, religious life retains a certain vitality. Hispanic immigrants are revitalizing the Catholic Church. A mosque is thriving in Roxbury, and the Jewish community has never been more diverse. These are just a few scenes from the Boston area’s rich religious life.</p>]]>

<![CDATA[<p>Geshe Ngawang Tenley circumambulated a “stupa” at the Kurukulla Center for Tibetan Buddhist Studies in Medford.</p> <p>”Geshe” is a title signifying Tenley’s academic degree and role as a teacher. A “stupa” is a structure containing Buddhist religious relics. The process of walking around the stupa in a clockwise direction gains merit. </p>]]>

<![CDATA[<p>Kelsang Tserang, 84, clasped his hands in prayer at the Kurukulla Center for Tibetan Buddhist Studies in Medford.</p><p>The candles are lit in order to gain “merit for all.” Tserang lights these candles on a daily basis. He does so while chanting under his breath.</p> ]]>

Tserang mde an offering of saffron water to Buddha.

Geshe Tenley wrapped Tengyur books containing analysis of Buddha’s teachings at the Kurukulla Center.

A man sat in prayer at the Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center (cq) in Roxbury.

From left, Rasheeda Abdul-Musawwir, 20, of Boston, Kenza Laoufir, 20, of Woburn, and Fatuma Farah, 26, of East Boston, conversed after prayer at the Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center in Roxbury.

From left, Mohamed Saidi, 39 of Roxbury, Sadiq Jones, 24, of Roxbury, and Shimon Warden, 35, of Dorchester, enjoyed lunch in the cafe after prayer at the Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center.

Reverend David Wright spoke during Sunday service at Peoples Baptist Church in Roxbury.

John O’Neal (left) greeted Margaret King during Sunday service.

Director of Music Paul White played the organ while the choir sang.

Mary Gray, center, of Dorchester, and Janie Howard, of Roslindale, listened to the sermon during Sunday service.

From left, Rhea Becker, Howard Katz, and Ren Pilinger rolled dough during a gathering of Keshet members to make challah in Jamaica Plain. Keshet is an LGBT Jewish group.

Keshet members sat together at a meeting.

From left, Joanna Ware, Vered Meir, Tali Ruskin, Shana Weaver, and Taan Shapiro kneaded dough during a gathering of Keshet.

Workshop leader Vered Meir (left) spoke with Rabbi Joseph Berman of Temple B’nai Israel in Revere.

Mother Superior Sr. Ana Clara of the Order of St. Anne-Bethany, prepared the alter for Sunday service.

From left, Sr. Maria Agnes, Sr. Felicitas, Mother Superior Sr. Ana Clara, Sr. Maria Teresa, and Sr. Olga of the Order of St. Anne-Bethany walked through Angel Garden after a Sunday service.

From left, Diaconate Candidate Peter Jeffrey, Reverend Dr. Charles Hefling, and Diaconate Candidate Bob Sherwood led participants in prayer around the alter.

Senior Minister Dr. Stephen Um spoke during the service.

Senior Minister Dr. Stephen Um carried Penelope, 1, after her baptism during a Citylife Presbyterian Church service held at the Revere Hotel in Boston.

Sound engineer Sam Lee played the bass during a Citylife Presbyterian Church service.

Gary Vargas, 21, prayed during a Citylife Presbyterian Church service.