ST. MARY’S CATHOLIC CHURCH, DUBAI — One of the world’s largest Catholic parishes will mark the beginning of Holy Week this Palm Sunday with an extensive schedule of Masses spread across two days, even as the broader region continues to navigate a period of unprecedented tension.
The Filipino Community (FiLCoM) chapter of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Dubai has released the schedule of English Masses for the Palm Sunday Liturgy on Saturday, March 28, and Sunday, March 29 — the official opening of Holy Week 2026.
On Saturday, morning Masses are scheduled at 6:00 AM (Saturday Liturgy), 7:00 AM, and 9:00 AM, alongside a 12:00 Noon Children’s Mass and a simultaneous 12:00 Noon Youth Mass at the Main Hall. Evening services continue at 3:00 PM (Children’s Mass), 4:30 PM, and 7:30 PM.
Sunday’s schedule is equally robust, with morning Masses at 6:00 AM, 7:30 AM, and 9:00 AM, a 10:15 AM Children’s Mass, and a 10:15 AM Youth Mass at the Main Hall. Evening celebrations are set at 3:30 PM, 4:45 PM, and 6:15 PM. A dedicated Filipino Mass is scheduled at 12:30 PM on Sunday, a consistent fixture for the large Filipino congregation that forms a significant part of St. Mary’s more than 350,000-strong parishioner community.
The schedule comes days after Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia Bishop Paolo Martinelli, OFM Cap., issued a pastoral letter to the faithful acknowledging the extraordinary circumstances surrounding this year’s Holy Week. Dated March 27, the letter directly referenced the conflict that erupted across the Middle East beginning February 28.
“This year, we approach the Holy Week in an unfortunate situation. Since 28th February, the whole of Middle East has been caught into a complex and unprecedented conflict,” Bishop Martinelli wrote. “We thank our Rulers, civil authorities and defence personals, who have constantly strived to keep us safe and continue with normal life including keeping our churches open and regular celebration of the Holy Mass.”
The Bishop acknowledged that the situation may require some flexibility, noting that “the current situation may have invited for some changes in the way we celebrate the Holy Week,” and urged the faithful to “patiently accept the inevitable inconveniences” and adapt to any adjustments in parish schedules.
Despite the conflict’s disruptions, St. Mary’s has maintained regular worship — a fact the Bishop explicitly recognized in his letter. He called on Catholics throughout the Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia, which covers the UAE, Oman, and Yemen, to pray the Holy Rosary daily as an act of solidarity and intercession for peace in the region.
The Palm Sunday Liturgy marks the beginning of the most sacred week in the Catholic calendar, commemorating Jesus Christ’s entry into Jerusalem and leading into the Easter Triduum — Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday.
