News - March 2024 RSS Feed

Today we celebrate the victory of life over death, Christ is truly risen from the dead. This is not just an announcement given two thousand years ago. Today Christ is victorious. Today we too are called to celebrate Easter, to move from death to life, from the slavery of sin and the fear of death to the resurrected life in Christ.

Tonight, we are like Mary Magdalene and the other women. We allow ourselves to be surprised by the announcement of the resurrection. We are also called to bring this great news to everyone. Jesus is risen. He is truly risen. It is the Lord's Easter. Easter is Passing over. Passing from death to life, from the cross to the resurrection, from the death of sin to the new life in the Spirit.

Jesus took upon himself the sins of the world, our sins. We are no longer slaves, but redeemed children, loved with a love stronger than death. Let us bring this invincible joy into our families and bear witness to the risen Jesus through our lives.

Celebration presided by Bp Paolo at St Joseph's parish, Abu Dhabi. "The word of God that became flesh has now become silent and mute. We are listening to the word of the Cross, which invites all humanity to repent and reconcile with God and with others. We stand in silence before the Cross and pray for peace in our hearts, our families, societies, nations, and the world. Love always wins! May the victory of Christ's love be manifested in the world."

How is it possible that the master, the son of God, becomes our servant? With the washing of the feet and the institution of the Eucharist, Jesus expresses the perfection of love. Like the disciples, we too are invited to let ourselves be loved by Jesus, welcome his love, and let ourselves be nourished by his body and blood that transform us and invites us to become ourselves a gift for others too.

The bishop consecrated the chrism and blessed the sacred oils, used in the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, Anointing of the Sick, and Holy Orders, in the presence of all the priests of the vicariate who renewed their priestly promises. Bp Paolo addressed especially the priests with words of exhortation, encouragement and thanks, and asked all the faithful to always pray for them.

On the fifth anniversary of the Apostolic Exhortation ‘Christus vivit’, Pope Francis invites young people to “make their voices heard” as they “bear witness before everyone to the joy born of friendship with Christ.”

With this celebration, we solemnly begin the Holy Week, which leads us to the heart of our Christian faith - the Paschal mystery. For us Christians, these are the most important days of the year. We celebrate the foundation of our faith, the origin of our hope; the greatest love is revealed to us.

St Joseph, Patron of our cathedral, the silent, faithful, and humble man. Saint Joseph is a humble sign of the fatherhood of God. Bp Paolo gives St Joseph as an example for all of us, and addresses especially the husbands and fathers who can learn and ask help from him.

Bp Paolo celebrated Confirmation Mass during his Pastoral visit to St John the Baptist's church in Al Dhannah : "With the gift of the Holy Spirit, you will receive a new knowledge about life, and you will be able to understand your life as a vocation; you are called to discover your own mission in this world."

Bishop Paolo gave a talk at St Francis church, Abrahamic Family House, on March 8, inviting us to reflect during this time of Lent on what it means to be a witness and martyr, through the Word of God, and through examples of witnesses who preceded us, and of how we can be witnesses in our turn.

Asia News relayed the Pastoral letter of Bp Paolo "Not slaves but Children" stressing the necessity of Christian formation renewal in our region and how it could be done