St. Joseph’s Cathedral is one of Abu Dhabi’s most recognised churches, serving a large, multicultural Catholic community in the capital. For many residents, it is also a practical landmark in the Al Mushrif area, close to established residential neighbourhoods, schools, and daily services. In this guide, you will learn everything you need to know about St. Joseph Cathedral in Abu Dhabi, including Mass schedule, location, and more.
- A short history of St. Joseph Cathedral
- Languages and community life at the cathedral
- Facilities and what to expect on arrival
- St. Joseph Cathedral in Abu Dhabi Mass schedule
- Where St. Joseph’s Cathedral is in Abu Dhabi
- Contact Information
- Planning your visit from key Abu Dhabi neighbourhoods
- Key Takeaways
- FAQs
A short history of St. Joseph Cathedral
St. Joseph’s Cathedral is a well-established part of Abu Dhabi’s modern religious landscape. It is associated with the Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia, and its current complex was inaugurated in the early 1980s, following the development of the first church on the same land.
Key milestones include:
- The first church was established on land donated during the 1960s, and the parish community expanded alongside Abu Dhabi’s growth.
- The current cathedral complex dates to the early 1980s, when the new site was inaugurated and began serving as a major Catholic centre in Abu Dhabi.
- The wider compound has continued to evolve through expansions and the addition of halls to meet the needs of a growing congregation.
In more recent history, the cathedral also gained international attention during the Papal visit to the UAE. Pope Francis visited St. Joseph’s Cathedral privately on 5 February 2019, where he met members of the parish community, including people in need, people of determination, and altar servers, alongside the then Apostolic Vicar, Bishop Paul Hinder. The visit formed part of a wider programme highlighting interfaith coexistence in Abu Dhabi.
Languages and community life at the cathedral
Abu Dhabi’s Catholic community is highly multicultural, and St. Joseph’s Cathedral reflects that reality through language-specific Masses and pastoral support for different communities. The cathedral’s published schedule explicitly includes timings in Tagalog, Malayalam, and Arabic, and parish communications commonly highlight multilingual services.
The parish also provides online viewing options. A YouTube playlist is publicly used for livestreaming and recorded Masses, including Tagalog services.
In day-to-day terms, this multilingual structure helps families and working professionals maintain consistency, particularly those who relocate frequently for employment contracts.
Facilities and what to expect on arrival
The cathedral compound is not only a worship space. The parish publishes information about office services and formal documentation (such as certificates and parish processes) on its website, alongside access hours.
Busy Masses can draw large numbers, so it is helpful to plan for:
- arrival time that allows for parking and entry flow
- modest dress expectations typical for places of worship in the UAE
- keeping phones on silent during services
- checking special schedules during major feasts
St. Joseph Cathedral in Abu Dhabi Mass schedule
Mass timings at St. Joseph’s Cathedral are published officially by the parish and may change on holy days and special occasions. Visitors are advised to check the latest updates directly on the cathedral’s Mass Times page before attending.
Regular St. Joseph Cathedral Abu Dhabi Mass schedule:
| Day | Mass times | Notes |
| Monday to Friday | 6:30 AM, 9:00 AM, 7:00 PM | Morning and evening services are listed on the parish schedule |
| Saturday | 6:30 AM, 8:30 AM, 10:15 AM, 4:30 PM, 6:30 PM | Several Saturday Masses follow the Sunday liturgy |
| Sunday | 6:30 AM, 8:30 AM, 10:15 AM, 4:30 PM, 6:30 PM | Peak attendance, especially in the morning |
Masses in different languages
St. Joseph’s Cathedral serves one of Abu Dhabi’s most linguistically diverse Catholic communities. In addition to regular English-language services, the parish publishes a detailed schedule of Masses celebrated in different languages across the week. Some services are held at St. Joseph’s Cathedral, while others take place at St. Therese of the Child Jesus Church within the broader parish complex.
| Language | Time | Day / Frequency | Location / Notes |
| Arabic | 7:45 PM | Sunday | St. Joseph’s Cathedral |
| French | 10:30 AM | Saturday | St. Joseph’s Cathedral |
| Italian | 12:00 PM | 4th Saturday | St. Joseph’s Cathedral |
| Filipino | 12:00 PM | Sunday | St. Joseph’s Cathedral |
| Konkani | 5:30 PM | 1st & 3rd Saturday | St. Joseph’s Cathedral |
| Korean | 12:00 PM | 1st & 3rd Saturday | St. Joseph’s Cathedral |
| Malayalam | Sat: 8:15 PM / Sun: 2:30 PM | Weekly | Alternates between Latin and Syro-Malabar rites |
| Malankara | Fri: 8:00 PM / Sat: 8:15 PM | Monthly | St. Therese Church |
| Spanish | 12:00 PM | 2nd Saturday | St. Joseph’s Cathedral |
| Sinhala | 6:45 PM | 3rd Saturday | St. Joseph’s Cathedral |
| Tamil | 6:45 PM | 2nd & 4th Saturday | St. Joseph’s Cathedral |
| Ukrainian | 6:45 PM | 1st Saturday | Divine Liturgy |
| Urdu | 8:15 PM | 1st & 3rd Saturday | St. Therese Church |
Language schedules may change around major feasts, holy days, or parish events. The cathedral recommends checking the latest published timetable before attending, particularly for monthly or alternating services.
Where St. Joseph’s Cathedral is in Abu Dhabi
St. Joseph’s Cathedral is located in Al Mushrif, Abu Dhabi.
Contact Information
- Phone: +971 2 4461929
- Email: abuparish@yahoo.com
Planning your visit from key Abu Dhabi neighbourhoods
St. Joseph Cathedral is in Al Mushrif, which makes it accessible from several well-known residential areas. Travel time depends on traffic patterns, school runs, and peak hours. Common starting points include Al Reem Island, Khalifa City, Al Khalidiya, the Corniche area, and Mohammed Bin Zayed City.
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Key takeaways
St. Joseph Cathedral in Al Mushrif is one of Abu Dhabi’s best-known Catholic centres, offering a published Mass schedule that includes weekday services and a wide Sunday programme with language-specific timings such as Tagalog, Malayalam, and Arabic.
The parish provides official contact details and office hours online and supports worshippers through livestreaming on YouTube. The cathedral serves not only as a place of worship but also as a stable community anchor within a well-established part of the city.
FAQs
The parish lists Monday–Friday Masses at 6:30 AM, 9:00 AM, and 7:00 PM.
The parish lists a Sunday Tagalog Mass at 12:00 PM.
Yes. The parish contact page lists the telephone number, email address, office hours, and the weekly holiday.
Yes. The parish notes that timings can change on holy days and special occasions, so it is best to check the latest schedule on the official site before attending.
Yes. The parish has a YouTube presence used for livestreaming and recorded Masses, including Tagalog services.
