Cardinal Peter Turkson Prefect of the Dicastery for Promotion of Integral Human Development at the Vatican has sent a message ahead of Sea Sunday which falls on 12 July this year. The Vatican has also released a prayer inspired by the Message for Sea Sunday.
On 12 July Christians around the world will celebrate Sea Sunday. Due to the uncertainties around Covid-19, Stella Maris in the UK will celebrate Sea Sunday in December instead of this weekend. The date has not yet been finalised, but it is likely to be either Sunday 13 or Sunday 20 December. We will update you as soon as we have more information.
Nevertheless we would urge you to please continue to pray for seafarers, fishers and their families, many of whom have had their employment period extended, resulting in fatigue, prolonged absence from their families and poor mental health. Estimates suggest that, every month, 100,000 seafarers who finish their contracts and look forward to flying home are prevented from doing so by the outbreak of Covid-19 and the subsequent closure of borders and flights.
Click the download button below to read and reflect upon the Cardinal’s Sea Sunday message.
Sea Sunday Prayer
Holy Virgin Mary, sign of the maternal face of God,
with filial confidence we turn to you in the current pandemic. Keep in your Immaculate Heart the seafarers, the fishermen and their families, who with their work are ensuring the human family with food and other basic needs.
Sign of the closeness of the Father,
support them in their trials and protect them from all dangers: isolation and severe physical and mental stress, long periods spent on board ships, distance from their family, friends and from their own country, fear of contamination, piracy attacks and attempted attacks, armed robberies.
Sign of the mercy of the Son,
help Stella Maris chaplains and volunteers to listen to the people of the sea, trying to respond to their material and spiritual needs, standing by their side, raising their concerns, upholding their labor rights and preventing discrimination.
Sign of the fruitfulness of the Spirit and advocate of seafarers,
bring unscrupulous ship-owners, crewing agencies and managers back to the way of justice who, using the excuse of the pandemic, dismiss their obligations towards seafarers Let us stand in solidarity with those who have lost their income.
Sign of consolation and sure hope,
tenderly embraces coronavirus victims, especially the seafarers who committed suicide.
Star of the Sea, pray for us. Amen!