Bishop Paolo Martinelli’s pastoral visit to St. John the Baptist Parish in Al Dhannah has taken place in a special atmosphere, coinciding with the celebration of the 100th World Mission Day by the universal Church, on the theme “One in Christ, united in mission.”

The reflection on the Christian call to be witnesses of the Gospel was at the heart of the visit. Meeting those involved in parish ministries, groups, and associations, Bishop Paolo encouraged the whole community to “rediscover the missionary vocation of all God’s people: to bring Christ to all and to bring all to Christ,” he said.

On October 17, Bishop Paolo inaugurated a Marian exhibition prepared by the Legion of Mary and blessed a new statue of Our Lady placed in the grotto outside the church. Gathered around the grotto, the Bishop and the faithful prayed the Rosary together, with a special intention for the missionary work of the Church.

Before Mass, Bishop Paolo also installed the relic of the Porziuncola in the church, a special sign of the Franciscan Jubilee marking the 800th anniversary of the Transitus of St. Francis of Assisi.

During the Mass, he reflected on Pope Leo XIV’s Message for World Mission Day, highlighting the importance of unity for the Church’s missionary identity. “Ours is not an external unity, but a profound and intimate one: baptism has made us members of the Church, forming one body,” he said.

Sunday, October 18, was another full day of celebrations and encounters. Alongside the Masses, Bishop Paolo met with the Parish Pastoral Council and spent time with Catholic faithful living in Beda Zayed, who are also part of St. John the Baptist Parish community.

Bishop Paolo also shared lunch with members of the Parish Pastoral Council and other parish groups. It was a joyful moment of fraternity and an opportunity for the parish community to celebrate the Bishop’s birthday in advance.

A special highlight of the day was the meeting with young people during the third Sunday Teens gathering, followed by a vocation retreat organized by the Vicariate’s Vocation Team. Through personal testimonies shared by a priest, a religious sister, and a family, the young participants were invited to discover the different ways in which God calls each person to live a meaningful and fulfilling life.

Bishop Paolo also shared his experience and reflections on life itself as a vocation. He encouraged the young people to make room for listening to the Lord, to recognize His voice and discover what He is calling them to become.

The central message was simple but profound: vocation is about discovering God's loving plan for our lives and finding our true fulfillment by responding to His call. For some, this may mean following Christ in consecrated life; for others, it may mean building a Christian family through marriage.

Two special performances also brought the life of St. Francis of Assisi to the heart of the celebrations. Before the vocation retreat, the catechism children presented a short skit inspired by the life of the Saint. Before Mass, the choirs came together for a musical presentation, telling St. Francis' story through songs. Both performances were a beautiful contribution to the celebrations of the Franciscan Jubilee, marking 800 years since the Transitus of St. Francis.

In this way, the pastoral visit brought together two closely connected dimensions of Christian life: the call to be witnesses of the Gospel and the invitation to discover and embrace one's personal vocation. Both begin with listening to the Lord and responding generously to His love.