The extraordinary Jubilee Year of St Arethas and Companions martyrs concluded on Sunday 22nd of September 2024 with the celebration of Holy Mass, presided over by Bp Paolo Martinelli, OFM Cap., in presence of Arch. Christophe El-Kassis, apostolic nuncio to UAE and Yemen, and Bp Emeritus Paul Hinder, OFM Cap., followed by the closing of the Holy Door and the veneration of the relic.
Coming to this country in the Gulf as migrants we become an indivisible part of the history of this Church of Arabia, rooted in the Apostolic testimony and watered by the blood of the martyrs. This extraordinary jubilee has been a great occasion of joy for all of us. This jubilee concludes but the joy does not end.
Pastoral Letter “Joy and Jubilee” released on 22nd of September 2024 : Bp Paolo reflects on the Jubilee Year of St Arethas, the joy and fruits it brought to the vicariate, and invites to deeper prayer following the call of Pope Francis looking towards the Jubilee 2025.
"It is right to want to be great, we are made for great things. But Jesus tells us that only he who lives in humility is truly great. He who loves is great, he who serves his brothers and sisters is great."
Bp Paolo was invited to speak about the role of forgiveness, reconciliation and compassion for peace. Taking the example of Jesus and St Francis, he stressed how reconciliation and forgiveness are the road to peace, breaking the cycle of violence and revenge, and opening up to fraternal life. The forum was organized by by the Maitribodh Organization and Etisalat Academy.
Who is Jesus for you? Your whole life will depend on how you answer this question. We have never finished discovering who Christ is for us. We must let ourselves be surprised by Christ. We are on a permanent journey of conversion. As catechists, be witnesses of the good life of the Gospel. In this way, you will also be credible teachers.
"The meaning of the year of prayer in preparation for the jubilee" was the theme chosen by Bp Paolo Martinelli OFM Cap. As the Jubilee Year of Saint Arethas and companions martyrs draws to a close, Bp Paolo invites us to turn towards the jubilee of the Lord 2025 : as Pope Francis has invited us to prepare for this fundamental event with a time of prayer, the bishop explains why and how.
Bp Paolo Martinelli, OFM Cap., installed Fr. Joby Vengappally, OFM Cap., as the new parish priest of St John the Baptist parish in Al Dhannah (Ruwais), succeeding Fr. Thomas Ampattukuzhy, OFM Cap.
Around 2000 children enjoyed the Summer Camp 2024 across the vicariate, thanks to the dedication of our priests, some guest priests and hundreds of volunteers. The bishop as well was able to participate in some of the Summer camps.
The word of God this Sunday reminds us of the true value of God's law. It is not a burden to be avoided but a gift of God's wisdom to live well every day, trying to realize God's will in all our actions.
Bp Paolo Martinelli attended the meeting of the Conference of the Latin Bishops of the Arab Regions (CELRA) in Rome, during which they met Pope Francis.
Pope Francis had originally chosen to give this Letter a title referring to priestly formation. On further reflection, however, Pope Francis thought that this subject also applies to the formation of all those engaged in pastoral work, indeed of all Christians.
With this celebration Pope Francis wanted to recall the importance of the relationship between all generations. Bp Paolo explains why this relationship is so important, fundamental for our life, especially in our Vicariate where many of us live far away from their grandparents and elderly relatives.
During this summer break, Summer Camps for the children are being organized in our parishes throughout the Vicariate thanks to the dedication of our priests and hundreds of volunteers who are mostly teenagers and young adults.
H.E. Archbishop Christophe Zakhia El-Kassis, apostolic nuncio to the United Arab Emirates, has been appointed as apostolic nuncio to Yemen and apostolic delegate to the Arabian Peninsula
What is the worst thing we can see in the world? What are the signs of sin that can manifest themselves in societies, including in the Church and families? It is division, separation, dispersion. Let us not think that evil is only outside of us. Our sins are the origin of all division. But Jesus took upon himself the sins of the whole world. It is through the cross of Christ that every division is overcome and the possibility of reconciliation opens up for everyone.
Msgr. Paolo Martinelli welcomes the new Working Document ("Instrumentum Laboris") as a document with clear direction for the coming October Synodal Assembly in which he will take part.
Who is guiding our life, is there a meaning to this life? What is our task on this earth, our mission? We are not on earth by chance. We are beloved, wanted, called by God. We are all called through our work and with our lives to participate in the mission of Jesus and bring the Gospel to all through the testimony of our lives.