The Catholic community of St. Peter and Paul Church in Ruwi, Muscat, celebrated the opening of its Golden Jubilee on November 6, 2026, with a Solemn Mass presided over by Bishop Paolo Martinelli, Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia. The Jubilee Year will conclude on November 5, 2027, marking the 50th anniversary of the consecration of the first Catholic church built in the Sultanate of Oman.

The celebrations began on the evening of November 5 with the raising of the Jubilee Flag, followed by Vespers presided over by Bishop Paolo, with the participation of representatives of other Christian denominations.

During the inaugural celebration on November 6, the Bishop blessed the Jubilee altar and lit the Jubilee Candle, marking the beginning of a year of thanksgiving, prayer and renewal for the parish community. He also blessed and opened the church’s entrance door as a symbolic gesture marking the beginning of the Jubilee Year.

Built on the rock, driven by the spirit

In his homily, Bishop Paolo reflected on the meaning of the Jubilee as a time to remember God’s gifts, experience His mercy and renew Christian life.

“The Jubilee is a time to remember God’s gifts, especially the gift of this church where the faithful gather to celebrate the Eucharist, the sacrament of love and unity,” he said.

The Jubilee theme, “Built on the Rock, Driven by the Spirit,” draws inspiration from the parish’s patron saints, Peter and Paul, and expresses the two essential dimensions of Christian life: faith in Christ and the mission of witnessing the Gospel.

“In this Jubilee Year, we are invited to grow in faith, to recognize Christ, and to base our entire life on him: therefore, built on the rock!” On the example of St. Paul “we are also invited to be ‘driven by the Spirit.’”

Following the example of the two Apostles, Bishop Paolo encouraged the faithful to deepen their participation in parish life and become witnesses of Christ in their daily lives.

“Jesus Christ has transformed us from a people of migrants into a people of missionaries called to witness the joy of the Gospel and to collaborate with every person of good will for a more humane world.”

A year of grace and renewal

The Golden Jubilee holds special significance for the entire Catholic community in Oman. Consecrated on November 4, 1977, St. Peter and Paul Church was the first Catholic church built in the Sultanate and has welcomed generations of faithful from different countries, languages and liturgical traditions.

For the occasion, the Apostolic Penitentiary has granted a plenary indulgence to the faithful who visit the church during the Jubilee Year and fulfil the usual conditions. The decree granting the indulgence was read aloud by Fr. Darick D’Souza before the final blessing.

The Jubilee Year will continue with a program of celebrations and initiatives dedicated each month to different groups, ministries and communities, encouraging everyone to participate in this special anniversary.

For Fr. Stephen Lewis, Parish Priest of St. Peter and Paul Church, the Jubilee is an opportunity not only to give thanks for the past, but also to look to the future with hope.

“As we celebrate our past, we also look to the future with hope. May this Jubilee renew our faith, deepen our unity, and inspire us to serve one another and bear witness to Christ through our lives. May Sts. Peter and Paul continue to guide us in fidelity to the Gospel and courage in our mission.”

More than a celebration of 50 years of history, the Jubilee is an invitation to look to the future with renewed faith and missionary enthusiasm.

As Bishop Paolo encouraged the community at the conclusion of his homily: “May the Spirit and missionary zeal of the Apostles Peter and Paul move our hearts to be a synodal Church on mission.”