For 103 years, the Stella Maris acts as the Catholic Church’s missionary work to the peoples of the sea, particularly seafarers, whether they are on merchant, passenger, war or fishing vessels.
Founded in Glasgow, Scotland on October 4, 1920, Stella Maris (formerly known as Apostleship of the Sea/AOS) provides practical and pastoral care to all peoples of the sea, regardless of nationality, belief or race through chaplaincies in ports in all continents of the world.
In addition to offering welcome and hospitality on ship visits, Stella Maris staff assist seafarers in distress, whether due to unsafe/exploitative working conditions or long periods of isolation onboard the vessel.
There are more than 230 chaplains and thousands of volunteers who staff Stella Maris centers and reach out to seafarers in more than 300 ports in 41 countries.
In 2012, Pope Benedict spoke during its 23rd World Congress at the Vatican: “Today, the Church sails across the seas to bring the Gospel to all nations, and your presence in ports throughout the world, your daily visits to ships docked in these ports and the fraternal welcome you give to the crews whilst in port are a visible sign of your concern for those who are not able to receive ordinary pastoral care.”
In 1969, Stella Maris became a founding member of International Christian Maritime Association (ICMA) to encourage collaboration and mutual assistance among seafarers’ ministry organizations.
ICMA is a free association of 29 charitable organizations working for the welfare of seafarers, fishers and their families. These organizations represent various Christian churches and communities that operate in more than 400 seafarers’ centers in more than 100 countries.
It is the mission of ICMA to promote unity, peace and tolerance as it is the duty of every chaplains, ship visitors, and volunteers and advocates for seafarers’ welfare to serve the stakeholders regardless of nationality, religion, culture, gender or ethnic origin.
During the 2019 ICMA conference in Taiwan, Pope Francis quoted portions of Pope St. John Paul II’s 1997 Apostolic Letter, Stella Maris, on the maritime apostolate as guidance for port welfare workers to “strive to see that the people of the sea are provided abundantly with whatever is required to lead holy lives; to recognize and promote the mission which all the faithful—and in particular the laity—are called to exercise in the Church and in the maritime world in accordance with their specific state.”
Pope Francis emphasized that the port welfare workers must “help the people of the sea to know Jesus Christ and to live according to His teachings.”
It was during its 100th anniversary celebration in 2020 when the name of AOS was changed to “Stella Maris,” the Latin title of its patron Mary, Star of the Sea, and the name by which most of the Catholic centers for seafarers are known.
A seafarer’s faith is his most powerful weapon in overcoming difficult emotional, or even dangerous, shipboard conditions and in making life at sea bearable in many ways.
Religion assists seafarers in coping with dangerous and emotionally challenging workplaces. It offers them strength, hope, and peace in relation to their daily work and social relationships on board the vessel.
Stella Maris was introduced in the Archdiocese of Manila in 1958 by His Eminence Rufino Cardinal Santos.
The Stella Maris Philippines is tasked to coordinate with the public and private sectors in activities related to the National Seafarers’ Day (NSD) celebration.
NSD is celebrated every last Sunday of September annually, as per Proclamation Nos. 828 and 1094 by the late President Fidel V. Ramos, aiming to recognize the vital role of Filipino seafarers in the development of the Philippines as a maritime nation. Stella Maris Philippines is tasked with coordinating efforts between the public and private sectors.
There are currently 14 Stella Maris centers nationwide: four in Luzon (Manila, Batangas, Pangasinan and La Union), five in Visayas (Cebu, Bohol, Iloilo, Leyte) and five in Mindanao (Basilan, Cagayan de Oro, Davao, General Santos City, Iligan).
Masses, novenas, and prayers for the safe voyages of seafarers are traditional aspects of the annual NSD. Additionally, wreath-laying and flower-throwing activities honor deceased seafarers and fishers, as well as those who have perished or gone missing at sea.
The 28th NSD was held on September 25, 2023, with the theme “Marinong Filipino: Patuloy sa Pangangalaga ng Karagatan.”
In 2022, the number of Filipino seafarers deployed reached 489,852, with corresponding dollar remittances amounting to $6,715,880,000. The sea-based sector’s remittances comprise at least 22 percent of the total OFW dollar remittances.
Atty. Dennis R. Gorecho heads the seafarers’ division of the Sapalo Velez Bundang Bulilan law offices. For comments, e-mail info@sapalovelez.com, or call 0917-5025808 or 0908-8665786.