Catholic university students in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) gathered for the first time under the patronage of the Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia, marking a historic moment for the local Church.

The event, held on October 31 and November 1 at St. Anthony Church in Ras Al Khaimah, centered around the theme "I have called you by name, you are mine." (Isaiah 43:1)

In his opening remarks, Bishop Paolo emphasized the significance of this gathering, stating, “Today marks the beginning of the pastoral care of our local Church to the students in the university. The Apostolic Vicariate is committed to promoting University ministry alongside all of you.”

Organized by Jesus Youth, a 40-year-old missionary movement focused on engaging young people, the retreat addressed the growing need to reach out to Catholic students in the UAE. 

“We estimate that there are between 13,000 and 15,000 Catholic students who came for studying in UAE universities, many of whom are not connected to the Church,” explained Anish Mathew, coordinator of Jesus Youth in the UAE. “Our goal is to reach them and invite them to live their faith in the Christian community.”

Over the past three years, Jesus Youth has connected with approximately 150 university students through five prayer groups across different parishes. The Ras Al Khaimah event saw more than 250 participants from over 20 nationalities, with registrations exceeding 400.

Bishop Paolo encouraged the youth to embrace their role as active agents of change, both within the Church and society. “It is crucial to underline the connection between faith and life, between the Gospel and culture. Jesus Christ is the beginning of a new vision of the entire world.”

Offering advice on how to live authentically during university years, Bishop Paolo urged students to “never walk alone” and to “live the Christian life in all its aspects.” He described university years as a time for “personal sanctification,” drawing inspiration from the example of Piergiorgio Frassati.

“This meeting marks the beginning of a shared journey to grow in faith, discover your vocation, and make courageous decisions,” the Bishop said. “You are never alone; God loves you and has called you by name. This is the source of a joy that cannot be taken away.”

The retreat featured a keynote address by Caleb Reigner, a Canadian speaker from the Catholic Christian Outreach movement, who shared his personal journey of faith. His speech focused on the theme of being “called by name,” a message echoed by Fr. Roberto Pasolini, a Bible scholar and preacher of the Papal Household, in his afternoon session.

The event also included opportunities for students to engage in recreational activities and participate in smaller group discussions on topics pertinent to their lives as young adults.