HONG KONG (SE): In recognition of the vital contributions and hardships faced by seafarers around the world, Stella Maris Hong Kong is inviting the faithful to join in prayer and support for maritime workers on Sea Sunday, observed this year on the second Sunday of July.
Globally, an estimated 1.89 million seafarers work tirelessly around the clock to operate ships that carry goods, resources, and people across continents. These men and women form one of the largest yet often unseen workforces supporting the global economy.
Despite their essential role, seafarers often endure long periods of isolation, mental health challenges, extreme weather conditions, and cultural displacement, all of which place significant strain on their well-being.
To address these challenges, Christian maritime ministries—including Stella Maris [formerly the Apostleship of the Sea]—have long been committed to serving seafarers of all backgrounds.
Founded by the Catholic Church in the 1920s, Stella Maris provides physical, social, and spiritual care to those working at sea, regardless of nationality, religion, gender, or race.
In a message issued by Divine Word Father Valan Arasu Arockiaswamy, port chaplain of Stella Maris Hong Kong, parish communities are encouraged to mark Sea Sunday with special prayers for seafarers, fisherfolk, their families, and for the ongoing mission of Stella Maris.
One suggested petition for the Prayer of the Faithful reads:
“For all the seafarers and fishers—that in all times of danger to body and soul, in temptation and loneliness, in sorrow and anxiety for loved ones at home, in depression and despair, in sickness and pain, and at the hour of death, they may find hope in Jesus and in His promises, we pray to the Lord.”
Parishes are also invited to display the Sea Sunday poster in spaces or bulletin boards to raise awareness of the occasion.
“Seafarers play an indispensable role in our daily lives, and yet they are often out of sight and mind,” he noted. “Sea Sunday is an opportunity for the Church to pause, pray, and show gratitude for their work, while also standing in solidarity with those who live and work far from home.”
Stella Maris Hong Kong provides pastoral outreach, offering hospitality, faith support, and a sense of connection.
