This Catholic church stands on land donated by the government of Kuwait, an oil-rich state whose citizens are a minority in their own country in terms of population.
As of 2023, Kuwait had a population of 4.82 million people. Of the total, 1.53 million are Kuwaitis. The majority, 3.29 million, are expatriates, primarily Arabs and Asians.
This church, known as Holy Family Co-Cathedral, is located in Kuwait City, Kuwait's capital and largest city. It is situated near the Arabian Gulf's shore.
The blue sea water serves as the backdrop for this magnificent church.
Its main and side doors are tall and polished. The sanctuary is wide and raised. Four columns support its marble canopy.
The main altar is located in the center of the sanctuary.
The large painting on the back wall depicts the Holy Family's stop in the desert.
This church also treasures an image of Our Lady of Arabia.
Mgr. Theophano Stell, the first bishop in Kuwait, sought the service of Emilio Tenca, an architect from Milan, to design the church.
The church began construction in 1956. In 1957, they laid the first stone. In 1961, the cathedral was consecrated.
Tenca gave the church a simple and modern style. High ceiling and a spacious interior.
It is the oldest and largest church in Kuwait. Its hall can accommodate 2,700 people.
During Christmas, New Year, and Holy Week, the attendance at the Mass greatly outnumbers the capacity of the main church.
An audio-visual system relays the mass from the main church to the halls, accommodating more people.
The cathedral complex also included a villa for the bishop, a rectory, parish halls, a grotto, and a resource center.
The resource center stores rosaries, scapulars, and copies of the Bible printed in many languages. It also offers greeting cards, books, and other religious items.
The church runs a food bank and provides shelter to the homeless. It also offers support to people who are in need.
The cathedral has more or less 50,000 followers from the three parishes in Kuwait City. Most of them are Indians and Filipinos.
Arab Catholics, mostly Lebanese, Syrian, and Jordanian expats working in Kuwait, also go to this church.
Americans and Europeans also attend mass here. Some Catholic Kuwaiti nationals are also part of the congregation.
The services are said in English, Arabic, Latin, French, Tagalog, Konkani, Malayalam, and Tamil.
The church was formerly the Holy Family Cathedral, where the bishop of the Vicariate of Northern Arabia once resided.
It became the Holy Family Co-Cathedral when the Cathedral of Our Lady of Arabia in Bahrain was built.
Like in most Islamic countries, the Catholics celebrate Mass in the Holy Family Co-Cathedral on Fridays.
In May, the Filipino community in Kuwait observes the Santacruzan and Flores de Mayo.
Reyna Elena commemorates the Santacruzan to immortalize the finding of the cross.
Reyna Elena was the mother of Roman Emperor Constantine. Constantine legalized Christianity.
The celebration of Flores de Mayo honors Mary with processions and floral offerings. Observed again in May.
The Catholic expatriates working in Kuwait are grateful to the leaders of this country for granting them the freedom to practice their faith.
