Pinoy Catholics in UAE keep Lenten tradition alive with supportive community

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates –The season of Lent holds a special place in the hearts of Filipino Christians wherever they are in the world.

Even far from home, Filipino Catholics, particularly in the United Arab Emirates, remain deeply rooted in their Lenten traditions such as fasting, attending Mass, going to confession, and taking part in spiritual pilgrimages.

In the UAE, a predominantly Islamic country, Filipino Christians have found a supportive community and a space to freely practice their faith, marking this sacred time with deep devotion and gratitude.

Billy Azarcon, a document controller based in Abu Dhabi and a devoted father of three, shared with GMA Integrated News that his family regularly embarks on a pilgrimage during Lent, visiting churches across all seven emirates as part of their spiritual observance.

Originally from Cebu and a resident of the UAE for nearly two decades, Azarcon explained that he and his wife are active members of Couples for Christ, a Catholic lay movement.

As part of their Lenten tradition, they join organized pilgrimages and participate in the Stations of the Cross, typically held in various churches every Friday.

“During Lent, we fast on meat products on Fridays. We also go on pilgrimage, visiting churches here in the UAE such as in Al Ain, Dubai, Ras Alkhaimah and all the rest of the seven Emirates. We attend Palm Sunday, make confessions as a form of penitence. My eldest daughter is also active in serving the Catholic Church here in Abu Dhabi,” Alarcon said.

The season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, a significant day for Filipino Christians in the UAE. The marking of ashes on their foreheads is not just a ritual, but a reminder of humility and repentance.

Raquel Arsenio, a cost control engineer, said that she always makes it a point to go to Church to have the markings of the ashes on her forehead to start the beginning of her Lent journey.

Arsenio, who is from Iloilo City and has been residing in Abu Dhabi since 2022, said that the Lent season is an opportunity for her to renew her commitment to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ.

“Despite my busy schedules, I don’t want to miss going to Church and start my Lent journey through attending the Ash Wednesday mass. I always start my penance with this. I am grateful that we can practice our beliefs freely here and our Church is active on updating us with the schedule of masses and important activities through their social media platforms,” she said.

Ridel Sozalo, an HR professional from Agusan del Norte, shared in a separate interview that she and her husband have been invited to attend a Lenten retreat in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah this year.

Sozalo, a member of Couples for Christ, has been living and working in the UAE for the past five years.

She said her family has embraced the tradition of Visita Iglesia, visiting various churches across the Emirates, including St. Joseph's Cathedral in Abu Dhabi, St. Therese and St. Francis of Assisi in Jebel Ali, St. Mary’s Church in Dubai, St. Michael’s Church in Sharjah, St. Paul’s in Ras Al Khaimah, and Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Fujairah.

“I always make it a point to join Lenten retreats, Visita Iglesia, and the Stations of the Cross organized by the parish or the parish priest,” she recalled.

“Lenten Season here in the UAE feels very similar to what I used to experience back in the Philippines. There are some slight differences — for instance, I haven’t been able to do the Stations of the Cross in the same way as I did back home — but overall, the core traditions remain intact.”

Stephanie Pangco, a procurement assistant, shared with GMA Integrated News that she plans to attend both Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday Mass at St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Abu Dhabi.

Having arrived in the UAE on April 29 last year, Pangco said this will be her first time observing the Lenten season abroad.

“It’s my first time to observe Lent, but I don’t see any challenges because we’re free to practice our beliefs here. I go to Church and there are so many Filipinos living here that it feels like I’m still in the Philippines. I look forward to attending the masses for Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday which will be my first,” she said.

Chier Ann Serano, a Methodist and data entry professional, said her family observes the Lenten season as a time to commemorate the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

During Good Friday, Serano said they attend church services and reflect on the “Seven Last Words” of Jesus before His crucifixion.

She added that Methodists across different districts also gather in a special service on Easter Sunday to celebrate Christ’s resurrection.

“This is my second year observing Lent here in the UAE. As Christians, we honor the season by remembering the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus. As a Methodist, we also commemorate the Last Supper by participating in the symbolic washing of feet among members. We hold church services and practice fasting. The only difference in observing Lent here is that I’m away from my family.”

Honey Mae Biscocho, a UAE resident for the past six years, shared that observing the Lenten season with her family comes with challenges, mainly due to differing work schedules among her loved ones.

Originally from Batangas and working as an administrative professional, Biscocho said that living with young children also makes it difficult to fully practice fasting.

However, she makes it a priority to teach her kids about the meaning of Lent and the importance of following the teachings of Jesus Christ through prayer and repentance.

“For us here abroad, we observe Lent in a more quiet and personal way, unlike how we used to back in the Philippines,” she explained.

“Going to church together as a family is difficult because of our different work shifts. We try to mark the season in our own simple ways at home. Fasting is hard because we have small kids, but we make sure they understand the spirit of Lent, especially how it’s traditionally observed in the Philippines. The essence of this season is to remember and reflect on the sacrifices of Jesus Christ,” she added.

Julie Ann Ferniz, another administrative professional, in a separate interview with GMA Integrated News said that she abstains from eating meat for a week as per her Filipino practices and tradition back home.

Since living in the UAE for 11 years, Ferniz said she could only go to mass on Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday unlike when she was in the Philippines where her family imposes stricter rules how to observe the Lent season.

“During lent season po as a practice and tradition one week na bawal kumain ng meat, magsisimba po on Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday. Compare po sa Pinas na mas strict kasi with Family, complete po dapat ang mass starting on Palm Sunday until Easter Sunday. Dito po nakakaattend na lang ng mass pag Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday na lang," she said. — BAP, GMA Integrated News