On the 10th anniversary of the martyrdom of four Missionaries of Charity and members of the laity in Yemen, Bishop Paolo Martinelli, apostolic vicar of Southern Arabia, presided over Mass on March 4 at St. Joseph\u2019s Cathedral in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.<\/p>\n
In his homily, Martinelli highlighted the sisters\u2019 courage and their offering of their lives as martyrs and witnesses to the love of Christ, who \u201cdid not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.\u201d He said their example showed love of neighbor through serving \u201cthe poorest of the poor\u201d in the Yemeni city of Aden, \u201cwhich is part of our apostolic vicariate.\u201d<\/p>\n
Martinelli noted that this commemoration comes as the Gulf and the wider Middle East are living through a difficult period. He said the sisters\u2019 witness can be read as \u201ca source of hope that surpasses any human hope,\u201d and he urged the faithful to pray \u201cso that we do not grow weary of witnessing to the Gospel, especially in these times of trial we live today\u2026 so that through the intercession of the holy martyrs we may receive the gift of peace and reconciliation in our region and in the whole world.\u201d<\/p>\n