(Photo from the Facebook page of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, Manama)
There is something profoundly human about our desire to journey toward sacred places. From the earliest days of the Church, Christians have set out on pilgrimages—leaving behind their daily routines to encounter God in a special way. These journeys often lead to shrines, holy places that hold deep meaning for the faithful. But what exactly is a shrine, and why does pilgrimage remain such an essential part of Catholic life today?
In the Catholic Church, a shrine is not just any church or chapel—it is a sacred place officially recognized for its special significance in the spiritual life of the faithful. The Code of Canon Law defines it as “a church or other sacred place to which numerous members of the faithful make pilgrimage for a special reason of piety, with the approval of the local ordinary” (Canon 1230). Simply put, a shrine is a place where heaven feels just a bit closer—where devotion flows naturally, and where the faithful are drawn to pray, reflect, and renew their faith. The Vatican’s Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy beautifully explains that shrines and pilgrimages belong to the Church’s “living tradition.” They nurture the faithful by leading them deeper into prayer, the sacraments, and the liturgy—the very heart of Christian life.
Pilgrimage is woven into the very fabric of our faith. From Abraham’s journey to the Promised Land, to Mary’s visit to Elizabeth, to Jesus’ own travels to Jerusalem, the Bible is filled with people walking toward God’s promise. The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us that pilgrimages “evoke our earthly journey toward heaven” (CCC 2691). When we go on pilgrimage, we are not just moving physically from one place to another—we are expressing our inner desire for conversion, reconciliation, and renewal. For the Church, pilgrimage is an apostolate—a ministry that brings people to Christ through movement, encounter, and prayer. It encourages community, strengthens faith, and often leads to the sacraments, especially Reconciliation and the Eucharist. Pilgrimages are moments of grace where hearts are softened, lives are redirected, and souls rediscover peace.
In the heart of Manama stands a diminutive church that has been the spiritual home of Catholics in Bahrain for over eight decades—the Church of the Sacred Heart. Consecrated in 1940, it holds a special place in the story of the Church in the Arabian Gulf. Generations of faithful from every corner of the world have found in it a refuge of prayer, hope, and love. Beyond its spiritual role, this original Sacred Heart Church has been deeply woven into Bahrain’s cultural and social fabric. It is affectionately known as the Mother Church—the first Catholic church built in the Arabian Gulf (with the exception of those in Yemen, now destroyed and abandoned)—a sign of the Kingdom’s long-standing openness and coexistence. Through the years, it has stood as a bridge between cultures and faiths, embodying the values of respect, dialogue, and fraternity that characterize Bahraini society.
Now, this beloved church has been elevated to the dignity of a Vicarial Shrine of the Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia. This recognition affirms what many already knew in their hearts: that the Sacred Heart Mother Church is not only a historical place of worship but also a spiritual landmark—a place of pilgrimage where the faithful can encounter the merciful love of Christ.
As a Vicarial Shrine, the church will serve as a center for devotion to the Sacred Heart, offering opportunities for spiritual formation, confession, Eucharistic adoration, and pastoral outreach. It stands as a visible sign of God’s compassion in a region where Catholic life continues to flourish quietly yet powerfully.
By decree of the Apostolic Vicar of Northern Arabia, any pilgrim who visits the Vicarial Shrine and devoutly participates in the Votive Mass and devotional practices in honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus receives a partial indulgence. This special grace, drawn from the Church’s treasury of spiritual goods, encourages the faithful to approach the shrine with sincere faith, repentance, and love—seeking not only personal renewal but also intercession for others. Such indulgences remind us that every act of devotion is part of the communion of saints, where the merits of Christ and His Church bring healing to souls.
Visiting a shrine is thus never a mere excursion. The Church teaches that those who approach with faith and openness to grace can receive profound spiritual benefits. A pilgrimage to a shrine is a call to renewal—a time for repentance and reconciliation, an invitation to deeper prayer and reflection. It offers a moment to encounter the living memory of the Church through its saints and martyrs, and to draw strength from the communion of believers. Shrines also serve as places of catechesis and formation, where pilgrims can be renewed in their understanding of the faith and sent back into the world with a renewed missionary spirit. For communities like those in Bahrain and the larger Gulf, composed of faithful from so many nations and languages, the Vicarial Shrine becomes a powerful symbol of unity in Christ’s love.
In every age, the Church journeys on—pilgrims on the road to the Kingdom. Shrines remind us that the path to heaven is not walked alone. Each visit to a shrine, each act of pilgrimage, is a step closer to the Heart of Jesus, who calls, heals, and sends us forth renewed. As the Sacred Heart Mother Church takes on its new mission as a Vicarial Shrine, it invites us all to rediscover what it means to be pilgrims of faith—journeying not only across distances, but deeper into the mystery of God’s love.
(The Vicarial Shrine of the Sacred Heart of Jesus will be formally declared in a Pontifical Mass presided over by Bishop Aldo Berardi, O.SS.T., Apostolic Vicar of Northern Arabia, on November 8, 2025.)
