Vatican Recognises Our Lady of Arabia as Patroness of Gulf Nations

Vatican City, August 24, 2025: The Vatican has officially recognised the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title Our Lady of Arabia as the special patroness of all the Gulf nations. At the same time, Saints Peter and Paul have been named the patrons of the Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia, which covers the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Yemen.

The announcement was made through the new liturgical calendar of the Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia, recently approved by the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.

The Vicariate, based in Abu Dhabi, is under the pastoral care of Italian-born Bishop Paolo Martinelli. The updated calendar includes the celebration of several local saints, reflecting the cultural and spiritual life of the region’s Catholic community.

Significantly, the Dicastery has also approved the first Fridays of March, June, and November as special days of prayer and penance. This development marks a departure from the universal Roman liturgical calendar.

Traditionally, the Church observed such days of penance widely. However, after the Second Vatican Council, their observance was restricted mainly to Fridays and the Lenten season. The restoration of designated days of penance in the Vicariate highlights the Vatican’s recognition of long-standing traditions within the Church, adapted to the context of the Gulf region.

The Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia serves a large expatriate Catholic population, comprising faithful from diverse cultural and national backgrounds. By naming Our Lady of Arabia as patroness, and Saints Peter and Paul as special protectors, the Vatican has provided a strong spiritual anchor for the community spread across the Arabian Peninsula.

The new liturgical calendar is expected to enrich the prayer life of the faithful in the Gulf, offering them an opportunity to honour their patron saints while remaining deeply connected to the universal Church.

Source: Sunday shalom

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