About Apostleship of the Sea (AOS)
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. . I was a stranger and you welcomed me"
(Mt 25:35)
Mission to Seafarers
In fulfilling this mission to
Seafarers, you face a most challenging and
difficult task. You are dealing with people who live in a
dispersed milieu. They face painful problems, such as
separation from family and friends and the
resulting feelings of isolation and
loneliness; for extended periods of time
they live and work at a great distance from
a territorial parish. In a real sense, the Seafaring world has
become a missionary world.
Remember that you are not alone in this
awesome task. The whole Church is one with
you in solicitude and prayer. The local
Churches have a special role to play in the
pastoral care of seafarers and other migrant
groups.
John Paul II, 27 October 1982.
Catholic Mission
The
Apostleship of the Sea is the Catholic
Church’s missionary work caring for seafarers
whether they be on merchant, passenger, war
or fishing vessels. While the Church has
always been interested in seafarers since
Christ first gathered his
fishermen-disciples around him, the modern
movement began in the 1890s with several
isolated and independent beginnings.
Jesus washed the feet of His disciples at
the last supper to demonstrate, even at the
institution of the Eucharist, that the
Eucharistic community is committed to
hospitality and service. This apostolic work
of the Church cares for the people of the
sea: for the pastoral, social, and
material welfare of all seafarers and
fishers regardless of colour, race or creed:
People of the Sea
Pastoral - Mass in the centre or
onboard ship,
religious material: books, prayers,
instructions, bibles, crucifixes, holy
pictures and promoting wholesome living both
on board as well as ashore; promotion of
on-board Christian life and the celebration
of the Lord's day at sea.
Social - Loneliness of sea-life is
countered by social contact, dances, music,
games -pool, basketball, table tennis, tours,
BBQ's, videos, library, licensed bar,
volleyball as well as internet, telephones, phone cards, stamps, cards and
postal service for seafarers to communicate
with their families.
Material - Wages are usually low
and condition are often poor for seafarers -
especially fishers - from developing countries. Justice for
seafarers relating to conditions on board,
safety, remuneration, repatriation, health &
recreation, and simple human dignity,
are all concern for the Apostleship of the
Sea.
The General Secretariat of the
Apostleship of the Sea is the Pontifical
Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants
and Itinerant People in the Vatican, Rome.
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Let brotherly love continue. Remember
always to show hospitality to strangers, for
by doing this some people have entertained
angels without knowing it.
(Hebrews 13.2) |
