PRAYERS:

PRAYER inspired by the Message for SEA SUNDAY 2022 of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development (July 10, 2022)

O Blessed Virgin Mary,

sign of the maternal face of God, we invoke Your blessing on the seafarers who, working every day, provide us with the goods we use and consume. You, who know the daily challenges they face for us, keep them in Your Immaculate Heart, strengthening them in the face of life’s difficulties.

Sign of the Father’s nearness, comfort them with Your sweetest presence during the long periods of time when ships remain in anchorage because of the increased demand for goods.

Sign of the mercy of the Son, spread Your tenders mantle over the ships that, because of the war in Ukraine, face the arduous task of sailing through the mines in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. Embrace the seafarers who died during this unjust war.

Sign of the fruitfulness of the Spirit, remain at the foot of the cross of the seafarers who, because of the forced length of their contracts, live in a state of physical and psychological exhaustion, far from their family affections.

Sister of men, remind the governments and managers of shipping companies that seafarers are human beings, our brothers and sisters, in need of decent accommodation, nutritious food, a safe working environment, acceptable working hours, shore leave, and honest remuneration, which guarantee their mental and physical well-being, on which safety at sea and the protection of the marine environment depend.

Star of the Sea, we entrust to you the commitment and dedication of chaplains and volunteers serving seafarers throughout the world.

Queen of peace, pray for us. Amen!

PRAYER FROM POPE JOHN PAUL II

Mary, Star of the Sea, light of every ocean,
guide seafarers across all dark and stormy seas
that they may reach the haven of peace and light
prepared in Him who calmed the sea.
As we set forth upon the oceans of the world
and cross the deserts of our time, show us, O Mary,
the fruit of your womb, for without your Son we are lost.

Pray that we will never fail on life’s journey,
that in heart and mind, work and deed,
in days of turmoil and in days of calm,
we will always look to Christ and say,
“Who is this that even wind and sea obey him?”
Our Lady of Peace, pray for us!
Bright Star of the Sea, guide us!

Our Lady, Star of the Sea, pray for seafarers, pray for us.

PRAYER FOR SEAFARERS 

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
Have mercy on all seafarers

Our Father. . .
Hail Mary. . .

Our Lady Star of the Sea, Pray for us
St Peter, Pray for us
St Andrew, Pray for us.

Let us pray
O God, in Your kindness, lead all seafarers through the perils of the ocean and bring them back in safety to their homes and friends. Guide them through the many temptations their way of life occasions. Inspire them to make fruitful use of the centres and chapels Your Church has established for them, and grant that they may learn to love and follow You with strength and loyalty through Christ Our Lord. Amen

PRAYER TO THE INFANT OF PRAGUE 

O Jesus, Who hast said, ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened to you, through the intercession of Mary, Thy Most Holy Mother, I knock, I seek, I ask that my prayer be granted. (request)

O Jesus, who hast said, all that you ask of the Father in My name, He will grant you through the intercession of Mary, Thy Most Holy Mother, I humbly and urgently ask Thy Father in Thy name that my prayer be granted. (request)

O Jesus, who has said, “heaven and earth shall pass away but My word shall not pass”, through the intercession of Mary, Thy Most Holy Mother, I feel confident that my prayer will be granted. (request)

National Committee

Vision & Objectives

• To promote a national perspective within the Stella Maris (Apostleship of the Sea) ministry, and to raise awareness nationally concerning the international imperatives of this ministry
• To support the Bishop Promoter and National Director in representing Stella Maris (Apostleship of the Sea) in communicating with the Bishops’ Conference and the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, as required
• To recommend policy in key areas, e.g. national formation, strategic planning, funding, national operating procedures, and training programs for approval by the Bishops Commission for Justice, Ecology and Peace

• To support co-ordination across the network of Australian Stella Maris centres on national issues (e.g. communication processes; networking; fundraising; risk management; formation; stakeholder engagement; volunteer programmes).
• To work in open dialogue with other like-minded organisations to further the Stella Maris (Apostleship of the Sea) ministry.
• To work within the parameters of the Motu Proprio, Stella Maris.

The National Committee will work in conjunction with the Bishop Promoter and the National Director to coordinate the Stella Maris (Apostleship of the Sea) at a national level.