Serra International, a Catholic lay organization that fosters vocations to the priesthood and religious life, has established its first club in the United Arab Emirates. On May 1, Bishop Paolo Martinelli officially installed the “St. Mary’s Serra Club” at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Dubai.

Twenty-one new members in Dubai took their oath, committing themselves to “give time, efforts and prayers for the encouragement and preservation of vocations,” to “promote Christian justice and charity,” and to involve others in this community. The assembly elected Mr. Matthew Thomas as president and Mrs. Lavina D'Souza as secretary, while the Bishop appointed Fr. Darick D’Souza as chaplain.

The idea of establishing a Serra Club in the Vicariate was first suggested by Cardinal Marc Ouellet and was readily welcomed by Bishop Paolo Martinelli, in line with his desire to promote vocations across the Vicariate.

“As soon as I arrived here as Apostolic Vicar, I realized that our faithful often live within their own communities, side by side. I began to ask what could help them feel part of one body. The idea of vocation—of life as a vocation rooted in Baptism—has the power to bring people together: even in our differences, we are all baptized and share a common call to holiness.”

One year ago, Bishop Paolo established a Vocational Team in the Vicariate to support and promote this vision.

The next step, he explained, is “to help people discern and welcome their specific call—whether to marriage, to religious life, or to the priesthood. All are vocations. Yet, according to the Second Vatican Council, the call to consecrated life has a particular role in reminding all the faithful of their fundamental vocation. It lies at the very heart of Christian life.”

In this perspective, the arrival of the Serra Club is seen as “a precious gift” for the Vicariate: “They can foster and support vocations to the priesthood and religious life, always rooted in the broader understanding of life as a vocation to holiness.”

The Bishop emphasized that the Serra Club does not replace the Vocations Team: “They are called to work together—they are two pillars of the same house.”

He also highlighted the lay character of Serra International: “It is a very meaningful approach, emphasizing the responsibility of the whole People of God for vocations. The question of vocation is not only for priests and religious; it concerns the life of the entire Church and the people of God. Caring for vocations is part of our baptismal life.”

Founded in Seattle (USA) in 1935, Serra International is present worldwide through more than 500 Serra Clubs in over 30 countries. The organization fosters vocations to the priesthood and religious life through prayer and active vocation programs. Its members are also called to deepen their own path of holiness. Since 1951, it has been aggregated to the Pontifical Work for Priestly Vocations within the Dicastery for the Clergy. The organization takes its name from St. Junípero Serra (1713–1784), the Franciscan missionary known as the “Apostle of California,” chosen as its patron for his priestly zeal and heroic virtue.