APOSTLESHIP OF THE SEA- Stella Maris

Sea Sunday Message 11th July 2010
Issued by the Vatican AOS office:
The Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People
90th Anniversary of the Apostleship of the Sea (AOS) & 2010 is 'Year of the Seafarer'




Dear chaplains, volunteers, friends and supporters of the Apostleship of the Sea,
T
he International Maritime Organization (IMO) has declared 2010 the “YEAR OF THE SEAFARER”. We pay tribute to the 1.5 million seafarers for their unique contribution to society at large. While sailing across the seas of the world many Seafarers find themselves in difficult situations created by nature, but often also by people. We need to increase awareness about these matters.
Seafarers are usually defined as “invisible people”, passing quickly through the ports. The annual celebration of Sea Sunday invites all Christian communities to see and recognize them as “real people” who, with their hard work and sacrifices, make our lives more comfortable.
Seafarers labour differently compared to those who work on land. We do not see them going to work every day. Their contract requires from them to leave wife, children, family and friends for a long period of time. They sail from port to port often in isolated places with little time to go ashore before they sail out again. The perimeter of the vessel is the limit of their world, the confined space of the cabin is their 'home'. They share their work with people of different nationalities and religions, often using a “Babel of languages” to communicate. For seafarers loneliness is a constant companion. Injustices are frequent. Moreover in these times of economic crisis crews are easily abandoned in foreign ports. “Pirate” attacks are becoming more rampant. When an accident occurs criminalization and detention are sometimes the price they pay on behalf of the vessel owner or the chatterer.
Technological progress has made many changes in the maritime world improving safety and reliability of the vessels. Turn-around time in ports is too fast and brief. However what continues unchanged and provided by the AOS is that which relates to human needs of seafarers and fishers. These needs are simple- a warm welcome in a foreign country, a vehicle to transport them to the city, a telephone or a computer to connect with their family and loved ones, a priest to celebrate Holy Mass –(if they are Catholic)-- or bless them, a friend to listen to their stories and problems, a volunteer or a pastoral agent to visit them in hospital or in prison.
The Apostleship of the Sea was founded by a small group of committed lay people in Glasgow 90 years ago on the 4th October 1920, to provide spiritual and material assistance to “neglected” Catholic seafarers and to provide for their needs. Since then it has grown beyond all expectation. - 67 countries , 167 ports, more than 400 Stella Maris Centres or outreach stations - Looking back at its humble beginning we can see the providential hand of God in the way in which the AOS has spread throughout the world.
Providing pastoral care, especially through ship visiting for seafarers and fishers remains our main concern as it was at the origin of this Apostolate. Therefore, we would like to encourage everyone to continue to support this “Work” hoping that the local Churches will be more and more involved in this pastoral care.
The Apostleship of the Sea, with its network of “Stella Maris” and Centres around the world, is always available to respond to the seafarers' requests, welcoming them to 'a home away from home' and making their life a little easier.
The chaplains and volunteers in many ports of the world are visiting hundreds of vessels, welcoming thousands of seafarers of all religions and nationalities offering counselling, clothing, telephone cards, money and providing 'a safe and secure port' in times of crisis; last but not least, helping to maintain in their lives the openness towards transcendental values.
On the international and national level the Apostleship of the Sea also does advocacy work to promote seafarers rights and provide justice for seafarers.
In remembering its 90th FOUNDATION ANNIVERSARY and celebrating the Year of the Seafarer, we would like to make an appeal to the States to speed up the ratification of the 2006 Maritime Labour Convention, a fundamental instrument to improve the working and living conditions of seafarers.
Message issued by the Vatican office of the AOS
Published and circulated with emphasis, italics, editions
by Fr. Xavier Pinto, C.Ss.R.National Director AOS India and Regional Coordinator South Asia and Gulf States.
Redemptorist Fathers, 876, Alto Porvorim.GOA. India. 403521
stellamarisindia@yahoo.com


Finally everyone on this occasion is invited to pause for a moment and pray for them and their families. We recommend to Mary, Star of the Sea, the chaplains and volunteers who every day generously walk along piers, climb gang ways and show love and concern for “those who for various reasons live and work in the maritime world” (Motu Proprio Stella Maris, Introduction).