September 7 and 8, 2026 marked two special anniversaries in the life of Bishop Paolo Martinelli: 41 years since his priestly ordination and 46 years since his first religious profession in the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin.

The two days became an occasion of gratitude and celebration for the Vicariate community. On September 7, during the UAE Pastoral Meeting held at St. Mary’s Church in Dubai, priests and Vicariate office coordinators joined in congratulating Bishop Paolo and celebrating these important milestones with him.

Throughout the two days, the Bishop also received many messages of affection, prayer and good wishes from faithful across the Vicariate.

A special Mass of thanksgiving was celebrated at St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Abu Dhabi, on September 7, presided over by Bishop Paolo himself.

In his homily, he looked back with gratitude on the gifts of religious life and priestly ministry:

“I thank God who granted me 46 years ago to profess the evangelical counsels and to belong to Christ through the Order of Capuchin Friars. I thank God, who, without any merit of my own, called me to serve the people through priestly ordination, which I received 41 years ago.”

Bishop Paolo also stressed that these gifts are never received only for oneself, but are always placed at the service of the Church.

“Consecration to the consecrated life and priestly ordination are gifts I received not for myself, but for the people of God, whom I am called to serve,” he said.

For the whole Vicariate, the anniversaries were an opportunity to join Bishop Paolo in giving thanks for his vocation and ministry, and to accompany him with renewed prayer for his continued service to the Church.