The synthetic versatility and the potential applications of porphyrins and analogues in different fields have aroused special interest in their study, especially to mimic biological systems, such as cytochrome P-450. The ability of the porphyrin tetrapyrrolic core to accommodate metal ions of varying charges can modulate the type of application of these compounds. As a contribution, in this special number in honor to the Brazilian women who have devoted their lives to the growth and dissemination of chemistry knowledge, we report the advances in porphyrin research in Brazil for catalytic purposes and other applications, beginning at the Universidade de São Paulo (USP) at Ribeirão Preto. We also discuss some works that have resulted from joint research effort between Brazilian researchers and Portuguese colleagues from the Universidade de Aveiro, Portugal, working in the porphyrin field.