Abu Dhabi Church to Hold 22 Masses in 13 Languages on Christmas

As the UAE’s Christian community eagerly anticipates the arrival of Christmas, a palpable festive spirit sweeps through the air. Among the faithful, preparations are underway for a joyous celebration marked by heartfelt prayers, cherished family gatherings, and the timeless traditions of adorning Christmas trees with gifts and twinkling lights. The atmosphere resonates with the sounds of festive feasts and harmonious carol singing.

At the heart of these celebrations, St Joseph’s Cathedral in Abu Dhabi stands ready to welcome thousands for a special Christmas vigil, setting the stage for the grand festivities. The Christmas Eve masses, scheduled from 8 pm until midnight, promise a culmination in the uplifting tradition of carol singing.

Reflecting on the impending solemn midnight celebration, Bishop Paolo Martinelli, Vicar Apostolic of Southern Arabia, emphasizes its profound significance in commemorating the essence of Jesus.

Come Christmas Day, St. Joseph’s Cathedral will teem with activity, presenting an impressive array of 22 masses held in 13 languages from 4 am to 8:30 pm. Services will be conducted in the following languages:

• Arabic
• English
• Ukrainian
• Italian
• French
• Spanish
• Korean
• Tagalog
• Urdu
• Malayalam
• Tamil
• Konkani
• Sinhala

In Dubai, St. Mary’s Catholic Church boasts a schedule rich in diversity. Christmas Eve commences with early morning Masses in English at 6 am and 7:30 am, followed by subsequent masses in English, French, and Arabic. The evening crescendos with a solemn high mass in English at midnight, preceded by enchanting carol singing at 11:15 pm.

On Christmas day, St. Mary’s Church unveils morning services in English at various times, followed by an Arabic Mass. The evening masses in English culminate with a Mass in Arabi at 9 pm.

Simultaneously, St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Jebel Ali presents a diverse array of masses on December 24, catering to different linguistic communities. The solemn midnight mass is set to commence at 11 pm.

Christmas Day unfolds with numerous English masses, accompanied by Sinhalese, Filipino, Ukrainian, Spanish, and Arabic Masses at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, creating a vibrant tapestry of celebrations throughout the day.