The Vatican approves new patrons saints for the entire Arabian peninsula

The Dicasterio for the Divine Cult and the discipline of the Vatican’s sacraments approved the new particular calendar of the Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia (Avosa), thus granting new patrons saints for the Arabian Peninsula.

The Vicariate is a territorial jurisdiction of the Catholic Church that covers the United Arab Emirates (EAU), the Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of Yemen. He is grazing by Mons. Paolo Martinelli, bishop of Italian origin. It has its headquarters in Abu Dhabi, capital of the EAU.

“This liturgical calendar reflects the religious history of the Church in a specific region, incorporating local saints of special importance,” says the avosa in its Official website This August 19.

The Saints Pedro and Pablo are the new patrons of the Vicariate and the Blessed Virgin, under the title of Our Lady of Arabia, is now the patron saint of all Gulf countries. The newly approved calendar also honors other saints linked to the region:

The Yemenis martyrs of the 6th century, Arethas and Companions (October 24). The Ethiopian King Caleb (Elesbaan), who contributed to the Christianization of Yemen (May 15), and Blessed Charles Deckers, a missionary priest committed to the interreligious dialogue in Yemen, who was martyred in Algeria (May 8).

“The particular calendar also includes saints of the widest region related to the expansion of Christianity in Arabia,” says the avosa. Among them are Santos Cosme and Damián (September 26). Simón the stylita also, “whose testimony led many Arabs from the interior to faith” (July 27).

Every November 5, the Vicariate will remember all the deceased missionaries who served in the region. With a view to promoting ecumenism and interreligious dialogue, the calendar includes the commemoration of San Isaac, “originally venerated within the Assyrian Church of the East and added to the Roman martyrology by Pope Francis”, every October 9 next to the patriarch Abraham.

In the same way, Moses will be held every September 4 and Job every May 10, but the latter only in Salalah, Oman. “All of them are figures of deep meaning both in Eastern Christianity and in the other Abrahamic religions,” adds the Vicariate.

In addition, the Vatican approved three special days of penance and prayer for the fruits of the earth and priestly vocations, They are called timely and are traditionally celebrated at the beginning of the different stations of the year.

“According to the calendar, the first Friday of March (during Lent) will be dedicated to praying for the needs of the Church in Avosa, especially for peace and the increase in vocations,” says the vicariate.

“The first Friday of June and November, which mark the arrival of summer and winter respectively, will be dedicated to thanksgiving for the gifts of creation, the fruits of the earth, to ask for a favorable climate and to pray for the responsible use of the resources of the planet,” he concludes.