Faces of the faithful

<![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 made an offering of saffron water to Buddha.

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

Deacon Victor Rivera (left) and the Rev. John Doyle prayed during a Saturday service held at the Church of the Most Holy Redeemer in East Boston.

Maria Celia Gil knelt in prayer during a Saturday service.

Elias Martinez held his son Angel, 5 months, during a Saturday service.

A man sat in prayer at the Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center 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.

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.

Choir member James Benjamin (left) was helped with his robe by usher Dolores Fairley during Sunday service.

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

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

Valerie Seabrook stood to sing during Sunday service at Peoples Baptist Church.

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.

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

Mother Superior Sister Ana Clara of the Order of St. Anne-Bethany prepared the altar for Sunday service.

From left, deaconship candidate Peter Jeffrey, the Rev. Charles Hefling, and deaconship candidate Bob Sherwood sang during Sunday service in the Chapel at the Bethany House of Prayer.

Sister Maria Teresa of the Order of St. Anne-Bethany, walked through Angel Garden after a Sunday service in the chapel.

Assistant Pastor Dave Cho made closing remarks during the end of a Citylife Presbyterian Church service held at the Revere Hotel in Boston.

Senior Minister Stephen Um carried Penelope, 1, after her baptism during a Citylife Presbyterian Church service.

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

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