The Vatican has approved the new Particular Calendar of the Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia (AVOSA). This liturgical calendar reflects the religious history of the Church in a specific region, incorporating local saints of special significance.

Patron Saints
Among the key points in the decree of the Dicastery for Divine Worship is the official designation of Saints Peter and Paul as patrons of AVOSA, and of the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title Our Lady of Arabia as patroness of Arabia (all the Gulf countries).

The two solemnities will be celebrated respectively on June 29 and on the Saturday after the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord.

Saints of AVOSA
The Particular Calendar also honors saints directly linked to the territory of AVOSA: the 6th-century Yemeni martyrs Arethas and companions (24 October), the Ethiopian King Caleb (Elesbaan), who contributed to the Christianization of Yemen (15 May), and Blessed Charles Deckers, a missionary priest engaged in interreligious dialogue in Yemen, who was martyred in Algeria (8 May).

AVOSA: One Local Church
Two celebrations emphasize the life and unity of the local Church in AVOSA: the Anniversary of the Dedication of the Cathedral of Saint Joseph (25 February), a sign of unity among the multi-lingual and multi-ethnic faithful in one local Church; and a commemoration of all deceased missionaries who served in the Vicariate (5 November).

Christianity in Arabia
The Particular Calendar also includes saints from the wider region connected with the spread of Christianity in Arabia. Among these are the 3rd-century martyrs Cosmas and Damian (26 September); the 5th-century ascetic Simeon Stylite, whose witness brought many Arabs of the interior to the faith (27 July); the Syrian soldier-martyrs Sergius and Bacchus, highly venerated among Arab tribes (8 October); and the 7th-century Qatari mystic St. Isaac the Syrian (29 January).

Ecumenical and Interreligious Perspective
Notably, Saint Isaac—originally venerated within the Assyrian Church of the East and added to the Roman Martyrology by Pope Francis—is commemorated alongside the Old Testament patriarch Abraham (9 October) and the prophet Moses (4 September) and Job (10 May, only for Salalah, Oman). They are all figures of profound significance in both Eastern Christianity and the other Abrahamic religions. This reflects the ecumenical openness and interreligious fraternity witnessed by the Catholic Church in AVOSA.

Ember Days
Given the diverse traditions within the Vicariate, the Vatican also approved three special days of penance and prayer for the fruits of the earth and priestly vocations. These are called Ember Days and are traditionally held at the beginning of different seasons during the year.

According to the Calendar, the First Friday of March (during Lent) will be dedicated to prayer for the needs of the Church in AVOSA, especially for peace and for the increase of vocations.

The First Fridays of June and November, marking the onset of summer and winter respectively, will be devoted to thanksgiving for the gifts of creation, the fruits of the earth, petitions for favorable weather, and prayers for responsible stewardship of the Earth’s resources.