St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Dubai, dedicated to Our Lady of the Assumption, celebrated its patronal feast with a Novena from August 6 to 14, followed by solemn celebrations on August 15 and 16, 2026.

This year’s parish feast was celebrated under the theme “Mother of the Synodal Church: Journeying Together as One Family in Christ.” The theme was chosen to reflect the Church’s call to synodality and highlights Mary’s role as a loving Mother who guides and accompanies God's people on their journey of faith. In a parish blessed with diverse cultures, languages, and nationalities, it reminded the faithful that, under Mary’s maternal guidance, they are called to walk together as one family in Christ.

Throughout the Novena, the faithful gathered each day for Masses and devotions led by invited priests, reflecting on the Blessed Virgin Mary’s faith, humility, and obedience to God’s will. The faithful gathered each day for Masses and devotions led by invited priests, reflecting on the Blessed Virgin Mary’s faith, humility, and obedience to God’s will. Each evening also concluded with a musical moment animated by the different parish communities, turning the days of preparation into an experience of communion, fraternity, praise, and thanksgiving.

The days of prayer prepared the parish community to celebrate with gratitude the mystery of the Assumption, in which Mary, taken up body and soul into heavenly glory, shows the destiny to which all God’s children are called.

The Feast Mass on August 15 was presided over by His Excellency Archbishop Christophe Zakhia El-Kassis, Apostolic Nuncio to the United Arab Emirates and Yemen and Apostolic Delegate to the Arabian Peninsula. In his homily, he recalled the meaning of this feast and the particular significance of the feast for St. Mary’s Parish: “The day Mary was taken up, body and soul, into glory, tells and reminds us where we, too, are one day meant to belong.”

A solemn procession of the Blessed Virgin Mary was held within the compound of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, bringing together the faithful in prayer, song, and devotion. The procession was an expression of love and gratitude to Our Lady of the Assumption and symbolized the community’s journey of faith under Mary’s guidance.

The celebration continued on August 16 with a solemn Eucharistic celebration presided over by His Excellency Bishop Paolo Martinelli, Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia. The Bishop invited the faithful to look to Mary as a model of discipleship and service. Inspired by Mary’s words in the Magnificat — “From this day all generations will call me blessed” — the celebration became an occasion to renew the parish’s commitment to walk together in communion and mission.

The parish feast was also enriched by activities that helped the community live the celebration in creative and participatory ways. The Marian Sustainable Art Exhibition showcased artworks inspired by the Blessed Virgin Mary and created using recycled and environmentally friendly materials. The initiative encouraged parishioners, especially children and young people, to express their faith through art while promoting care for creation.

The “Rosary Making Experience” also offered parishioners the opportunity to create their own rosaries and deepen their understanding of Marian devotion. Through this hands-on experience, participants were encouraged to make the Rosary a regular part of their spiritual lives and family prayer.

The celebrations gathered parishioners from many communities in a spirit of prayer, thanksgiving, and devotion. As St. Mary’s Church honored its patroness, the parish feast became not only a moment of Marian celebration, but also a sign of unity for the Church in Dubai: a community called to journey together, with Mary, as one family in Christ.