Bishop Paolo Martinelli, Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia, celebrated the feast of St. Anthony of Padua with the Catholic community in Ras Al Khaimah, during his pastoral visit to the parish dedicated to the popular Franciscan saint.

On June 13, the bishop presided over the Mass with the Catholic community in Umm Al Quwain, the smallest and least populous emirate in the UAE. 

The faithful there—a vibrant community made up mostly of Indian migrants—gather for worship in a rented warehouse, as there is no dedicated church building in the emirate.

The space, though limited, hosts various groups and pastoral activities, with priests from Ras Al Khaimah offering regular Masses on Fridays and Sundays.

“I am particularly happy that my pastoral visit takes place on the feast of Saint Anthony,” Bishop Paolo said in his homily. “We all love him and confidently turn to his intercession to obtain from the Lord the graces we need.”

The community welcomed the bishop with festive decorations, including balloons in white and yellow, the traditional colors of the Vatican, flowers, and gifts presented during the liturgy.

A solemn procession took place the following evening at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Ras Al Khaimah. Hundreds of parishioners participated, including children dressed in Franciscan habits. 

The bishop joined the procession around the church, where eight men carried a statue of St. Anthony. Holding a relic of the saint, Bishop Paolo gave the final blessing, marking a moment of deep reverence.

On Sunday, June 15, Bishop Paolo presided over the main feast day Mass, attended by thousands. In his homily, he reflected on the values embodied by the saint: “From Saint Anthony we learn humility and service. Without humility, Christians lack credibility. And without mutual love, we are not faithful to the Gospel. We also learn from him a deep love for the Word of God.”

The community expressed their gratitude with warm applause, and many sought individual blessings. The celebration concluded with a shared meal in a spirit of fraternity.