Bahrain’s Sacred Heart Church to Be Declared Vicarial Shrine of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
MANAMA, BAHRAIN — The Sacred Heart Church, fondly known as The Mother Church and the oldest Catholic church in the Arabian Peninsula (outside Yemen), will be officially declared a Vicarial Shrine of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on Saturday, November 8, 2025.
Consecrated in 1940, the church has stood as a beacon of faith and devotion for Catholics across the Gulf. The declaration, which coincides with the church’s 85th Jubilee Year, will be marked by a Pontifical Mass presided over by Bishop Aldo Berardi, Apostolic Vicar of Northern Arabia, who will formally confer the new title.
With its elevation to shrine status, the Sacred Heart Church will now serve as a center for Eucharistic celebration, reconciliation, and spiritual renewal. Pilgrims who attend the Thursday or Friday votive Mass of the Sacred Heart may obtain a partial indulgence, under the usual sacramental conditions.
The Shrine will also host lay associations devoted to the Sacred Heart, promoting prayer, novenas, and other spiritual activities while preserving its rich history and cultural heritage. A Rector will be appointed to oversee the pastoral and administrative care of the shrine, ensuring it remains a place of grace and devotion.
Originally established on Christmas Eve, 1939, through the generosity of HH Sheikh Haman Bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Sacred Heart Church has long symbolized unity and faith in Bahrain. Its new title reflects both a deep reverence for the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Church’s enduring mission to nurture spiritual life across the region.
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