Vatican, 03 October, 2022 / 6:30 pm (ACI Africa).
Marking more than 100 years of helping seafarers around the world, Pope Francis has recognized the role of Stella Maris, the Apostleship of the Sea.
In a message to participants at the 25th World Congress of the Catholic organization, Pope Francis said: “I join you, and all associated with Stella Maris, in giving thanks to Almighty God for the witness of faith and countless acts of kindness and charity shown by so many chaplains and volunteers over the past century to those who toil on our seas and waterways for the benefit of us all.”
The apostleship was founded in Glasgow, Scotland, on Oct. 4, 1920. A congress was to be held there to mark its 100th anniversary in October 2020, but the date could not be fully celebrated due to the outbreak of the pandemic.
“Now that you have gathered in person for the first time since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is my hope that you will be able to celebrate fully the hundredth anniversary of the founding,” Pope Francis said in his message.
In September 2020, the organization changed its name from the Apostleship of the Sea to Stella Maris, after one of the Latin titles of veneration of the Virgin Mary.