Bahrain: Inauguration of Pontifical Holy Childhood Society at Cathedral of Our Lady of Arabia

Bishop Aldo Berardi with clergy and members of the Holy Childhood Society. Image: AVONA

Source: Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia (AVONA)

In a significant and heartfelt ceremony, the Cathedral of Our Lady of Arabia in Bahrain witnessed the official inauguration of the Pontifical Holy Childhood Society, held on Monday, 28 March 2025, marking a momentous occasion for the local Catholic community and expression of the Church's commitment to alleviating the suffering of children across the world.

The Holy Childhood Society, a global initiative long recognized for its focus on supporting children in need, is dedicated to providing aid to children suffering from poverty, conflict, and crisis in underprivileged regions. The society's mission centres around fostering solidarity, prayer, charity, and mutual support to ensure that children across the world have access to the fundamental resources of education, healthcare, and overall well-being.

The inaugural Mass, which marked the beginning of this new initiative, was celebrated by His Excellency Bishop Aldo Berardi, accompanied by clergy members, local leaders, and a congregation of parishioners who gathered to witness this event. Bishop Aldo's homily was filled with heartfelt reflections and a call to action, urging the faithful to embrace the mission of the Pontifical Holy Childhood Society with an open heart and a spirit of generosity.

In his address, Bishop Berardi highlighted the profound impact of prayer in the lives of children in need, saying, "We must pray for children, but we must also teach them to pray for one another.

" His words underscored the universal power of faith, compassion, and unity, reminding all present of the crucial role that prayer and collective action play in transforming the lives of the most vulnerable.

Bishop Aldo further emphasized that the Holy Childhood Society is not only about offering assistance but also about fostering a sense of global responsibility and solidarity among children. By encouraging children to pray for others, Bishop Berardi invited the faithful to embrace this initiative as a means of making a difference in the lives of those who suffer.

The service concluded with the solemn oath-taking ceremony, where children who are members of the

Pontifical Holy Childhood Society pledged to pray, share, and help as part of their commitment to the mission of the society. This heartfelt moment marked the beginning of their active participation in the global effort to support children in need.

Fr Marcus Fernandes OFM Cap, the clergy member behind the drive to launch this initiative, thanked the parents for their unwavering support, urging them to continue motivating their children to take an active role in this mission. His heartfelt gratitude was directed not only at the children but also at the community for coming together to make this dream a reality. Bahrain, being one of the first in the Vicariate to launch this initiative, will be followed by the other regions within the Vicariate.

The ceremony also included the presentation of awards to the children from the AVONA Vicariate, who were winners of the Missio - AVONA essay and drawing competition. The awards were presented by Fr Marcus Fernandes, OFM Cap., the clergy of the Cathedral, and the founder of Missio - AVONA, celebrating the creative talents and commitment in promoting the ideals of the Holy Childhood Society. Following the Mass and the inauguration, a gathering was held.

Through this initiative, the message to the community was clear: the future of children across the world depends on the collective efforts of a caring and compassionate society. By offering prayers for children in need and supporting initiatives like the Pontifical Holy Childhood Society, the faithful are helping to create a world where every child has the opportunity to thrive, dream, and grow in safety, love, and dignity - it is a call to action for all to come together in prayer, charity, and mutual support for the children of the world.