Catholic Maritime News

Summer 2015CatholicMaritime NewsVolume 79A Celebration of Joy: Dedication of the Roundel of Our Lady,Star of the Sea and Day of Prayer andRemembrance for Mariners and People of the SeaEvery year on May 22, the Churchobserves the Day of Prayer andRemembrance for Mariners andPeople of the Sea. Our Lady, Starof the Sea is the Patroness of theSeafarers aboard the ships andthose who sail the stormy seas oflife. In a special recognition, PopeFrancis urged everyone to pray forthe seafarers: “Be the voice of thoseworkers who live far from their lovedones and face dangerous and difficultsituations.” The Pope added: “I callon the chaplains and volunteersof the Apostleship of the Sea tocontinue with their commitment tothe pastoral care of these brothersand sisters. I entrust all, especiallythose who are in trouble and thosewho are away from home, to thematernal protection of Mary, Star ofthe Sea.”The annual Holy Mass celebration forthe Day of Prayer and Remembrancefor Mariners and People of the Sea,held Sunday May 24, 2015, wasan opportunity for the Church toofficially recognize the sacrifices andthe risky lifestyle of the Seafarersthroughout the world. Mary’s title“Our Lady, Star of the Sea” wasused to emphasize Mary’s role asa sign of hope and as a guide andprotection of the seafarers. Also,this title emphasizes Mary's role as aguiding star for Christians. Mary, Starof the Sea, is believed to intercedefor guidance and protection onthose whose travel or livelihood isconnected to the sea.To recognize and to emphasize theimportance of Our Lady, Star of theSea, the Confraternity of Our Lady,Star of the Sea, Morgan City, LA, andApostleship of the Sea of the UnitedStates of America sponsored theinstallation of a roundel depictingBishop Boland dedicating the Roundel of Our Lady, Star of the Seaour Lady, Star of the sea in theBasilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. To the right of the main entrance in theBasilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, over what is known as the Cardinal’sdoor, is placed the bas-relief of Our Lady, Star of the Sea. This relief portrays Mary calming the sea. Thededication of the Relief, celebrated on Pentecost Sunday, May 24, 2015, by Bishop Kevin Boland, BishopPromoter of the AOS, marks the annual Holy Mass celebration and prayer in remembrance of Mariners.Also, it provides a strong indication that the Church cares for the spiritual needs of the seafarers andtheir families. The dedication is a testimony that the Church accompanies those who, for variousreasons, live and work in the maritime world.Roundel of Our Lady, Star of the SeaUnited States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Secretariat of Cultural Diversity in the ChurchPastoral Care of Migrants, Refugees & Travelers / Apostleship of the Sea National Office3211 Fourth Street, NE, Washington, DC 20017 E-mail: aos@usccb.org www.usccb.org/aosContinued on page 2

summer 2015Catholic Maritime NewsCatholicMaritime Newsis published by the Apostleship of the Sea (AOS) National Office3 times a year – spring, summer and winter.United States Conference of Catholic BishopsSecretariat of Cultural Diversity in the ChurchPastoral Care of Migrants, Refugees & TravelersBishop Promoter: Most Reverend J. Kevin BolandBishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Savannah, GAAOS National Director Contact: Sr. Joanna Okereke3211 Fourth Street, NE, Washington, DC 20017Phone: (202) 541-3359 Fax: (202) 541-5417E-mail: jokereke@usccb.orgwww.usccb.org/aosAOS National Office web address has been changed. If you havelinked to us previously using the old www.aos-usa.org address,please remember to change your link to www.usccb.org/aosWe encourage you to visit our website which has user friendlynavigation tools. Check out our interactive map with a list ofAOS chaplains and contacts, know about news and events andother relevant information. If you want to know about Massschedules in parishes around the country, there is even a li

Summer 2015 Volume 79 Catholic Maritime News . Bishop Boland dedicating the Roundel of Our Lady, Star of the Sea. Page 2 Summer 2015 CatholiC maritime NewS Catholic Maritime News is published by the Apostleship of the Sea (AOS) National Office 3 times a year – spring, summer and winter. United States Conference of Catholic Bishops .