Our Lady of Arabia

North Arabian Vicariate Patron in 2011
Recognized by the Church

Our Lady of Arabia is the patronal advocation of the Arabian peninsula, born in Kuwait in the mid-20th century. When there was a single Vicariate of Arabia, before its division in 2011, Oman was part of that territory where it was venerated as a patron. Today Oman belongs to the Apostolic Vicariate of South Arabia, whose official patronage corresponds to other figures, but the advocation remains known and respected in the region. For your detailed history, see Our Lady of Arabia's tab in Kuwait.

Main data

Origin and history

Our Lady of Arabia is the patronal advocation of the Arabian peninsula, born in Kuwait in the mid-20th century. When there was a single Vicariate of Arabia, before its division in 2011, Oman was part of that territory where it was venerated as a patron. Today Oman belongs to the Apostolic Vicariate of South Arabia, whose official patronage corresponds to other figures, but the advocation remains known and respected in the region. For your detailed history, see Our Lady of Arabia's tab in Kuwait.

The image and the sanctuary

There is no sanctuary or parish in Oman officially dedicated to Our Lady of Arabia: it is not recorded. Its original sanctuary is in Kuwait and the great cathedral of the Vicariate of North Arabia in Awali (Bahrain). In Oman, the invocation continues as a historical and spiritual memory of the old jurisdiction and as a private devotion of the faithful who know it for having lived or worked in Kuwait or Bahrain.

Sponsorship and coronation

It is officially recognized by the Holy See, with canonical coronation held in Kuwait in 1960 and proclaimed as patron of the Vicariate of North Arabia in 2011. In Oman, his official liturgical cult is not in force, as the patronage of the Vicariate of South Arabia falls to other figures; his presence is devotional, not institutional.

Party and devotion

The party is held in mid-January at the Vicariate of North Arabia. In Oman there is no liturgical celebration of its own or processions, consecration or local miracles linked to this advocation. The devotion is lived in private among the faithful who brought it from other Gulf countries.

Link to the Rosary

The Rosary is the main channel of Marian piety of migrant workers in Oman, praying in the family and in small communities. The devotion to Our Lady of Arabia, when it is maintained, is accompanied by that daily Marian prayer. There are no specific practices of the Rosary of an Omani sanctuary under this title.