Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia

God shaped the path of Fr. Andrew Francis from the beginning.

A simple childhood question slowly opened the way to his vocation, leading him from Kerala to Doha, then to Kuwait, and now to Al Ain.

His journey has been marked by unexpected turns and by one decisive Franciscan question: whom is it better to serve?

“I decided to serve the master,” he says. “Jesus should be the benchmark.”

On August 15, Bishop Paolo Martinelli will install him as parish priest of St. Mary’s Church, Al Ain.

Read his story on the AVOSA website: https://avosa.org/news/serving-the-master-fr-andrew-francis-begins-his-ministry-in-al-ain

At the Monastery of Saints Francis and Clare in Cademario, Switzerland, Bishop Paolo Martinelli celebrated the Solemnity of St. Clare with the Poor Clare sisters.

In the Franciscan Jubilee Year, he reflected on St. Clare’s originality and her deep spiritual bond with St. Francis.

“She did not simply repeat Francis, but, precisely because of her relationship with him, she was able to give rise to a new form of following Christ.”

A witness of communion, freedom, and fruitful love that still speaks to the Church today.

Read more: https://avosa.org/news/st-clare-little-plant-of-francis-a-witness-for-today

We joyfully welcome the Holy See’s approval of the proper liturgical texts for Saint Arethas and Companions, the Martyrs of Najran.

The texts recall their history and witness, inviting the faithful of both Apostolic Vicariates to deepen their devotion and honour their foundational legacy in the Arabian Peninsula.

“May the memory of these saints strengthen the unity of God’s people and renew the witness of the Christian faith in this region.”
Bishop Paolo Martinelli

Read more: https://avosa.org/news/liturgical-texts-approved-for-sts-arethas-and-companions

Today, the Church celebrates the VI World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, on the liturgical memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, the grandparents of Jesus.

This year’s theme, “I will never forget you” (Is 49:15), speaks in a special way to our Vicariate, where many families live far from their grandparents.

As Fr. Peter Fernando, Director of the Office of Family Ministry, reminds us, every elderly person in our parish family deserves to be “welcomed, accompanied, and valued.”

In several parishes, Seniors Ministry groups offer older parishioners spaces of prayer, fellowship, friendship, and belonging — helping them remain active and cherished members of the Church.

Read more on the AVOSA website:
https://avosa.org/news/vi-world-day-grandparents-elderly-avosa

May no one feel forgotten🙏🥰

Bishop Paolo Martinelli expresses his heartfelt congratulations to Archbishop Christophe Zakhia El-Kassis, appointed Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the UN, and invites the faithful of AVOSA to accompany his new mission with fervent prayer.

Bishop also expresses his gratitude to Archbishop Christophe for his three and a half years of dedicated service as Apostolic Nuncio to the UAE and Yemen and Apostolic Delegate to the Arabian Peninsula.

“Our faithful have deeply appreciated his magisterium during his visits to our parishes, where he brought the closeness and blessing of the Holy Father. We entrust Archbishop Christophe Zakhia El-Kassis to the maternal intercession of Our Lady of Arabia as he begins his important new mission at the service of the Holy Father at the United Nations.”

The Serra Club of Dubai has been officially chartered by Serra International.

On July 17 Margo Geddie, President of Serra International, presented the official Charter Certificate, welcoming the Dubai club into the global Serra family.

A historic milestone for the Church in Southern Arabia and a new commitment to promoting vocations to the priesthood and religious life through prayer, encouragement, and support for young people discerning God’s call.

Read more: https://avosa.org/news/serra-club-dubai-chartered-by-serra-international

Bishop Paolo Martinelli visited the summer camp of St. Joseph’s Church in Abu Dhabi, dedicated this year to the theme “Family of Faith – One Family United in Christ.”

The theme is inspired by the Eucharist, which is at the heart of the parish pastoral year, and invites children and young people to rediscover the Church as one family gathered around Christ.

Around 350 children and teenagers, accompanied by 60 volunteers, meet every afternoon for catechesis, games, creative activities, and moments of friendship and prayer.

During the visit, the campers presented to Bishop Paolo the model churches they had created in the previous days. Bishop Paolo also offered them a short reflection on what it means to be Church together. It was a joyful and lively moment, marked by songs, smiles, and interaction with the children.

📷 SJC Media Team

Earlier today, feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Bishop Paolo Martinelli met with a group of Sisters of the Apostolic Carmel Congregation from Bahrain, who spent the past few days in the Vicariate for their spiritual retreat.

The Apostolic Carmel is a Catholic religious congregation founded in 1868 by Mother Veronica of the Passion. Rooted in the contemplative spirit of Carmel, the congregation is especially committed to education, formation and service.

We thank the Sisters for visiting our Vicariate and assure them of our prayers as they continue their mission with faith and dedication.

Today’s UAE Pastoral Meeting focused on the mission of the Vicariate offices and their service to the Church in Southern Arabia.

Bishop Paolo invited participants to reflect on communion, synodality, and the call to build a civilization of love in the concrete reality of our region.

Participants warmly welcomed Margo Geddie, President of Serra International for the promotion of vocations. The meeting also included a presentation of WYD 2027 and the pastoral initiatives planned to accompany young people towards this event.

A day of reflection, communion, and shared responsibility for our local Church.

Read more: https://avosa.org/news/uae-pastoral-meeting-focus-on-vicariate-offices

A new pastoral tool for the Church in the Gulf 🤩

👉 The "Ten Franciscan Words," written by Fr. Stefano Luca, OFM Cap., Director of the AVOSA Interfaith and Ecumenical Dialogue Office, has just been published.

Read more: https://avosa.org/news/ten-franciscan-words-pastoral-tool-church-gulf

📖 The book gathers years of catechesis on St. Francis and Franciscan spirituality, including catechesis offered in the Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia.

✨ The special edition for the Arabian Peninsula includes an afterword by Bishop Paolo Martinelli and a foreword by Fr. Roberto Pasolini, Preacher of the Papal Household.

😇 “It is not just another book on St. Francis,” Fr. Stefano explained. “It was really thought of and desired as a useful material for our faithful to grow in faith and to get to know Franciscan spirituality.”

🙏 In the year marking the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi, this book invites the faithful of the Vicariate to rediscover the Franciscan way as migrants in this part of the world.

A compact but valuable resource for personal reflection, catechesis, prayer meetings, and group sharing — helping us allow the spirituality of St. Francis to illuminate our journey of faith in Southern Arabia.