From 27 February to 1 March, Bishop Paolo Martinelli carried out his pastoral visit to St. Mary’s Parish in Al Ain, sharing with the community moments of prayer, encounter, and listening.

The visit unfolded as a true journey together, where the life of the parish — its ministries, groups, and families — found space for dialogue and mutual exchange with the Bishop.

Before the official opening of the visit, the parish welcomed around one hundred Muslim migrant workers from a nearby labour camp for a shared iftar meal during the month of Ramadan — a simple yet meaningful gesture of fraternity and mutual respect.

The visit formally began with the installation of the relic from the Porziuncola, followed by the celebration of the Holy Mass. In his opening homily, Bishop Paolo invited the faithful to live Lent as a path of true conversion, reminding them that peace begins in daily relationships.

Despite the concerns and tensions present in the wider regional context, the pastoral visit unfolded peacefully and with strong participation from the faithful. The community took part actively in the many moments of celebration, encounter, and reflection, showing the vitality of parish life.

Saturday and Sunday morning were dedicated to meetings with the various realities that make up the parish: the Parish Pastoral Council, associations and movements, ministry representatives, catechists, and young people. These encounters were lively and deeply participative. Beyond official reports, many faithful shared personal experiences and stories of faith, making these meetings true moments of listening and mutual knowledge.

Throughout all these encounters, Bishop Paolo gave significant space to the theme of synodality, encouraging everyone to commit themselves to the implementation phase of the Synod’s final document. He invited the faithful to see the synodal journey not as a series of tasks, but as a shared way of being Church — walking together, listening to the Holy Spirit while listening to one another, and renewing the missionary spirit of the community.

More than formal gatherings, the meetings became occasions of genuine exchange — allowing the faithful to experience a concrete closeness with their pastor and to strengthen the sense of walking together as one community.

Among the highlights of the visit was the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation, conferred on 46 young people and 7 adults, a joyful sign of faith growing within the parish.

Sunday was marked by several liturgical celebrations, including a celebration with children and the concluding Eucharist, during which Bishop Paolo reflected on the Gospel of the Transfiguration:

“Today’s Gospel tells us of the transfiguration of Jesus on the journey to Jerusalem. In this way, we see that even in suffering, the Lord can transfigure life.”

The Bishop encouraged the faithful to remain steadfast in hope, even amid uncertainty:
“Since yesterday, we witnessed a new conflict which has affected all the countries in the Gulf. Do not lose heart, but stand together as pilgrims of hope, witnesses of hope. Certain that God’s mercy always triumphs and will change evil into new paths of good. Let us pray for peace, in our hearts, in the Church, in society and in the world.”

The pastoral visit concluded as a visible sign of communion — a journey lived together, where listening, fraternity, and hope revealed once again the beauty of the Church walking forward as the people of God.