About Apostleship of the Sea (AOS)
. . . I was a stranger and you welcomed me" (Mt 25:35)
 Apostolic
Work
The
Apostleship of the Sea is the Church among the People of the
Sea. It is the apostolic work of the Catholic
Church caring for seafarers, fishers and their families.
We offer pastoral care to those in need; solidarity with the
oppressed; welcome and hospitality to those on the move; and
spiritual sustenance to the poor, enabling seafarers and
fishers to be the light of Christ for each other.
As 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.
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
Oct-82.
Life at
sea means long periods of separation from family and
community. Globalisation has meant fierce competition, low
wages and in some cases harsh working conditions.
Apostleship of the Sea, through its chaplains and seafarers
centres, works in solidarity with all those whose lives
depend on the sea offering them hospitality and pastoral
care.
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