Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Avona
Awali (Agenzia Fides) – “Sowing the seeds of the Pontifical Mission Societies in the Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia (AVONA) is a herculean task due to its jurisdiction in four countries, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Fortunately, a ‘visionary’ sees a solution for every problem” writes Father Marcus Fernandes OFM.Cap., delegate of the Missio-Avona, to Fides. The reference is to the Apostolic Vicar of Avona, Bishop Aldo Berardi, O.SS.T., defined precisely as “the ‘visionary’ Bishop who promoted the mission in the Vicariate” thanks to which the Pontifical Society of the Holy Childhood was inaugurated.
During the celebration of the mass held on Friday, March 28 in the Cathedral of Our Lady of Arabia (OLA), in Awali, Bishop Berardi welcomed the first 46 child volunteers of the Holy Childhood Society. "Praying, helping and sharing the Gospel is the mission of children" the bishop recalled in his homily recalling the three mottos of the Holy Childhood and inviting all those present to pray and share the Gospel every day.
"On January 5 - continues Fr. Marcus - we had celebrated the Holy Childhood day and, to make this day a memorable one, the Missio-Avona Office organized an essay and drawing competition based on the theme “Children are the Missionaries of Hope”, with the aim of creating an interest and to know about the Holy Childhood or Pontifical Mission Societies.”
“We received beautiful essays and drawings, the children expressed their emotions to the fullest. The winners of the competitions were declared during the Inaugural mass of the Awali Holy childhood society on 28th March 2025 in Bahrain and the winner’s name will be published in our digital magazine
launched on December 10, 2024 (see Fides, 12/12/2024) on the occasion of the third anniversary of the dedication of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Arabia.”
Bishop Berardi, along with Rector of the Cathedral Fr. Saji Thomas, ofm Cap., and other coordinators of the Holy Childhood concelebrated the mass. “During the Eucharist - adds the Apostolic Vicar - we prayed for the people in Myanmar devastated by the serious earthquake on Friday 28 March. We offer masses for them. The destruction of places of worship has touched us deeply.”
‘What do you ask from the Church?’ was the question that the Apostolic Vicar asked the children before the final blessing. “The children recited the pledge and expressed their desire to make them child missionaries to become friends of Jesus and to serve the children.”
“The day ended with a big feast together with the families. Now the entire operational group in the Cathedral and our four coordinators are ready to continue the missionary zeal of the children - concludes the delegate of the Pontifical Mission Societies.
With the establishment of the Holy Childhood Society in the Cathedral of Bahrain, under the Leadership of our Apostolic vicar, the Pontifical Mission Societies are seeing their good days in the Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia”. (AP) (Agenzia Fides, 31/3/2025)
Avona
