As the Catholic Church marks the 100th World Mission Day, the faithful of the Western Region of Al Dhannah in the United Arab Emirates gathered for prayer, reflection, and renewal.
Bishop Paolo Martinelli, OFM Cap., Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia, visited St. John the Baptist Parish in Al Dhannah and urged Catholics to rediscover the missionary calling rooted in baptism.
During the pastoral visit, Martinelli met with parish ministerial teams, lay movements and fellowship groups, including volunteers, catechists and ministry coordinators.
He invited parishioners to reflect on their baptismal dignity and responsibility, stressing that mission is not reserved for clergy and religious but belongs to every believer in daily life and work.
“This is the true meaning of the mission: to bring Christ to all and to bring all to Christ, because all belong to God,” Martinelli said.
The parish serves a multicultural Catholic community in Al Dhannah, an industrial hub that is home to families and expatriates from different countries.
Marian Devotion and Parochial Life
During the visit, Martinelli inaugurated a Marian exhibition prepared by the parish’s Legion of Mary.
The exhibition presented the history, spiritual teachings and different expressions of devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, highlighting her role as the First Disciple and the Star of Evangelization.
The bishop also blessed a newly installed statue of Our Lady at the parish grotto.
Hundreds of parishioners later joined him in praying the Holy Rosary for peace, family life and the intentions of the local Church across the Gulf region.
One Body in Christ: The Eucharistic Anchor
Martinelli also presided over Mass with local parish clergy.
In his homily, he reflected on Christian identity and the transformative power of baptism.
He said the Church stands as a visible sign of unity in a world marked by division and isolation.
The shared baptismal covenant, he noted, transcends cultural, linguistic and national boundaries and brings a diverse migrant community together as one Body in Christ.
The Eucharist, he stressed, is both the summit of this unity and the source that sends believers into workplaces, schools and neighborhoods.
The visit also included prayer, community encounters and parish activities as St. John the Baptist Parish marked the centenary of World Mission Day.
