United Arab Emirates Marian Awards
In the Emirates, the Catholic faith is mainly lived by Filipino, Indian and Arab migrant workers, gathered in temples like St. John's. Mary's of Dubai and the Cathedral of San José of Abu Dabi, under the regional patronage of Our Lady of Arabia.
Marian Wonders and Anecdotes of the United Arab Emirates
- In February 2019 Pope Francis, the first pontiff to visit the Arabian peninsula, held a mass in Abu Dabi before more than 150,000 faithful, mostly migrants; it was held within the Marian Year convened for the 50th anniversary of the Catholic presence in the country.
- In 2017 Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayed ordered to rename a great mosque of Abu Dabi as Mary, Mother of Jesus; Mgr. Paul Hinder described it as a sign of tolerance, and many Catholics lived it as a comfort by seeing Mary's name publicly honored in a Muslim country.
- Chronicles of the papal mass show that many devotees brought to the compound small images of the Virgin, especially of Fatima and the Perpetual Relief, as a sign of gratitude for being able to live the faith publicly.
National
History of Marian devotion in United Arab Emirates
Christianity in the United Arab Emirates has a history that dates back to apostolic times (in the case of some Eastern traditions) or to the arrival of European missionaries in the XVII- 17th centuries. The devotion to the Virgin Mary, although practiced by a minory of the population, has a significant presence among the local Catholic communities. Mary is venerated as the Mother of God and protector of Christians in contexts where they are often minory.
The Marian advocacy in the United Arab Emirates reflects both the missionary tradition (Our Lady of the Rosary, Our Lady of Fatima, the Immaculate Conception) and the local expressions of Marian piety. The Christian communities, through their parishes, schools and social works, keep alive the devotion to Mary as the Mother of all peoples.
Today the UAE houses one of the most numerous Catholic communities in the Gulf, with more than a million faithful. The Apostolic Vicariate of South Arabia is based in Abu Dabi. The churches of St. Paul in Abu Dabi, the parish of Our Lady of the Rosary in Dubai and the church of St. Michael in Sharjah are important centers of worship. The Virgin Mary is invoked as Our Lady of Arabia, an advocation that unites all Catholics on the Arabian Peninsula under the protection of the Mother of God.
United Arab Emirates Marian Awards
Our Lady of Arabia
Our Lady of Arabia is the official Marian advocation linked to the vicariates of the Arabian peninsula; she was born pastoral in Kuwait in the mid-20th century and was consolidated as regional patronage of the Gulf Catholics.
🙏 Our Lady of Arabia, pray for us.
San José (catedral de Abu Dabi)
Santa Maria (Al Ain)
Santa María (St. Mary’s, Dubái)
St.
🙏 Nuestra Señora, Santa María (St. Mary’s, Dubái), ruega por nosotros.
Ntra. Sra. del Rosario de Abu Dhabi
The Cathedral of San José de Abu Dhabi, with devotion to the Virgin of the Rosary, is the seat of the Apostolic Vicariate of southern Arabia and serves a Catholic community of more than 100 nationalities.
🙏 Virgin of the Rosary, pray for us.
Inmaculada Concepción de Dubai (St. Mary’s)
The Church of Santa Maria of Dubai, dedicated to the Immaculate Conception, is one of the most active parishes in the United Arab Emirates, serving a multicultural community.
🙏 Immaculate Conception, pray for us.
Our Lady of UAE Arabia, venerated in the parishes of Abu Dabi and Dubai
The advocation of Our Lady of Arabia is especially loved by the Catholics of the United Arab Emirates. His image, which represents the Virgin in Arab garments, is venerated in all the parishes of the country.
🙏 Our Lady of Arabia, pray for us.
St. Mary of Dubai, venerated in the church of St. Mary of Dubai
The church of Santa Maria de Dubai, opened in 1967, is the most important Catholic temple in Dubai. Its modern architecture houses an image of the Virgin Mary very venerated by the multicultural community of the city.
"O Holy Mary of Dubai, pray for us.
San Pablo de Abu Dabi, iglesia parroquial de Abu Dabi
The church of St. Paul of Abu Dabi, built in 1967, is one of the most active Catholic parishes of the UAE. His Marian chapel is dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary.
"Our Lady of the Rosary of Abu Dabi, pray for us.
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