Dubai’s Catholic community is preparing for one of the most significant events in the Christian calendar—Holy Week. Both St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Jebel Ali and St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Oud Metha have released their detailed schedules for Good Friday (April 18), Holy Saturday (April 19), and Easter Sunday (April 20), 2025, offering multi-language services to accommodate the city’s diverse faithful.
Good Friday Services – April 18, 2025
At St. Francis Jebel Ali, the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion will begin as early as 5:30 AM in Malayalam and continue throughout the day in multiple languages. English services, which will include general absolution, are scheduled at 11:00 AM, 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM, and 7:00 PM. Other scheduled languages include Tamil, Sinhalese, and Arabic.
Over at St. Mary’s Church Oud Metha, the schedule is equally packed:
- English: 3:00 PM and 6:00 PM
- Tagalog: 11:00 AM
- Tamil: 8:00 AM
- Malayalam: 5:00 AM
- Konkani, Arabic, Urdu, and Sinhalese services are also lined up between 8:00 AM and 8:30 PM.
Holy Saturday (Easter Vigil) – April 19, 2025
St. Francis Jebel Ali will not hold morning Masses but will have vigil Masses in English starting at 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM, 7:00 PM, and 9:00 PM. A Tagalog vigil Mass is also scheduled for midnight (12:00 AM on the 19th).
Meanwhile, St. Mary’s Church offers evening Masses:
- English: 3:00 PM and 8:00 PM
- French: 5:00 PM
- Arabic: 11:00 PM
Easter Sunday – April 20, 2025
The Resurrection of the Lord will be celebrated in full force at both churches.
St. Francis Jebel Ali begins its Easter services at 6:00 AM with Malayalam, followed by English masses spread throughout the day (9:00 AM, 10:30 AM, 5:30 PM, and 7:00 PM). Other scheduled Masses include:
- Arabic: 12:00 PM
- Ukrainian: 1:30 PM (Main Church)
- Tamil and Sinhalese: 3:00 PM
- Spanish: 3:30 PM
St. Mary’s Church has an extensive lineup of English Masses starting at 5:30 AM and running every 1.5 to 2 hours until 7:30 PM. Arabic Masses will be held at 11:30 AM and 9:00 PM.
Below is a comparative summary of major Holy Week services:
| Date | Church | Language | Time(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good Friday (Apr 18) | St. Francis | English | 11:00 AM, 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM, 7:00 PM | With General Absolution |
| St. Mary’s | English | 3:00 PM, 6:00 PM | Main Church | |
| St. Mary’s | Tagalog | 11:00 AM | ||
| St. Mary’s | Arabic | 8:30 PM | ||
| Holy Saturday (Apr 19) | St. Francis | English | 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM, 7:00 PM, 9:00 PM | Vigil Mass |
| St. Francis | Tagalog | 12:00 AM (midnight) | Vigil Mass | |
| St. Mary’s | Arabic | 11:00 PM | ||
| Easter Sunday (Apr 20) | St. Francis | English | 9:00 AM, 10:30 AM, 5:30 PM, 7:00 PM | |
| St. Mary’s | English | 5:30 AM to 7:30 PM (multiple times) | ||
| St. Francis | Malayalam | 6:00 AM | ||
| St. Mary’s | Arabic | 11:30 AM, 9:00 PM |
