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Bishop Aldo Berardi: Our Episcopal Promoter

We are profoundly blessed and honored to have Bishop Aldo Berardi, O.SS.T., as the episcopal promoter and protector of the Confraternity of St. Arethas and Companions. His unparalleled guidance is indispensable as we forge ahead in spiritually and administratively establishing and expanding the confraternity.
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Short Biography

 

Appointed by Pope Francis on January 28, 2023, Bishop Berardi succeeded the late Bishop Camillo Ballin, continuing his mission as the Apostolic Vicar of Northern Arabia, overseeing the pastoral care and administration of the Catholic Church in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. He was consecrated bishop on March 18, 2023, at Our Lady of Arabia Cathedral in Awali, Bahrain.

 

Born in Longeville-lès-Metz, France, to immigrant Italian parents, Bishop Berardi's pastoral journey began in Ars-sur-Moselle, France, where he was ordained a priest in the Order of the Most Holy Trinity and of the Captives (Trinitarians) in 1991. His dedication to the faithful transcends borders, beginning with his ministry in Egypt to Sudanese refugees displaced by sectarian violence and civil wars, and continuing with his efforts in fostering interfaith dialogue and supporting a migrant Church in the Arabian Peninsula.

 

Personal Devotion to St. Arethas and Companions

 

Central to Bishop Berardi's leadership is his profound personal devotion to St. Arethas and his Companions. This devotion deeply influences his pastoral mission and is evident in his support to establish the Confraternity of Saint Arethas and Companions. Bishop Berardi encourages a deepened understanding and appreciation of St. Arethas' legacy through prayer services and educational initiatives, fostering a community rooted in faith and resilience.

 

Bishop Berardi’s spiritual journey is deeply intertwined with the holy martyrs. In 2011, he spearheaded the canonical establishment of a parish in their name, a surprising choice at that time given the saints' relative obscurity. His relentless efforts to learn more about these martyrs and promote devotion to them have since become a cornerstone of his pastoral mission.  As fate would have it, archaeological surveys in the Najran region around the same time led to the discovery of ancient Christian communities, reinforcing several hagiographic accounts and local traditions.

 

The connection between Bishop Berardi and the holy martyrs became more manifest when he was appointed bishop in 2023, the same year the Church celebrated the 1,500th anniversary of the martyrdom of the saints. He subsequently led efforts to commemorate this occasion grandly, culminating in an Extraordinary Jubilee celebration across the Arabian Peninsula, jointly organized by the southern and northern vicariates, with the approval of the Holy See.

 

During the jubilee, Bishop Berardi received a magnanimous gift from the Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I: the sacred relics of St. Arethas, taken from a monastery on Mount Athos, Greece. This event marked the return of St. Arethas to the Arabian Peninsula after fourteen centuries.

 

Bishop Berardi is convinced that the necessary and logical conclusion to the jubilee is the establishment of a confraternity that will preserve its fruits and propagate the devotion to St. Arethas and Companions beyond the Arabian borders. He sincerely believes that the universal appeal of the holy martyrs and their virtues of steadfast faith, courage, and unity resonate perfectly in the Church today.

 

Future of the Confraternity

 

Under Bishop Berardi's steady guidance, the future of the Confraternity of St. Arethas and Companions is poised for growth and spiritual enrichment. The establishment of the confraternity is not just a means to preserve the legacy of St. Arethas and his Companions but also a vibrant initiative to inspire and strengthen the faith of Catholics worldwide.

 

The Confraternity will serve as a beacon of hope, courage, and unity, drawing individuals closer to the virtues exemplified by St. Arethas and his Companions. We plan to launch various programs, including regular prayer services, educational workshops, and community-building activities, to deepen the spiritual lives of our members and spread the devotion far and wide.

 

In a world often marked by division and strife, the Confraternity stands as a testament to the power of faith and the enduring legacy of the holy martyrs. With Bishop Berardi's unwavering support and visionary leadership, we are confident in our mission to sustain and propagate the devotion to St. Arethas and his Companions, ensuring that their stories of faith, resilience, and martyrdom continue to inspire generations to come.
 
Together, under the banner of St. Arethas and his Companions, we embark on this sacred journey of faith, united in our commitment to live out their virtues and share their inspiring legacy with the world.
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