Faith and the sea unite in the new initiative by APB and the Diocese of Mallorca, Stella Maris

APB and the Diocese of Mallorca inaugurate a center for human and spiritual assistance for seafarers at Contramoll-Mollet, Palma.

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) and the Diocese of Mallorca have launched Stella Maris Mallorca at the port of Palma. This international organization of the Catholic Church provides human and spiritual assistance to seafarers, also supporting their families.

The headquarters, provided by APB, is located at Contramoll-Mollet in the port of Palma and aims to become a support center for the well-being of seafarers during their time on land. In this initial phase, Stella Maris Mallorca is led by the director of the secretariat, Mn. Nadal Bernat, and a team of lay volunteers.

Under the motto "A home away from home”, Stella Maris is dedicated to the comprehensive assistance of seafarers in spiritual, social, and labor aspects, regardless of their race, nationality, sex, culture, religion, or ideology. Stella Maris volunteers visit the ships arriving at the port daily, offering their services and addressing the needs of the crew. They strive to help with any problems and always provide a warm, human welcome.

In the spiritual realm, the Apostleship of the Sea represents the Church's presence in the port. Seafarers are offered catechetical materials, Bibles, rosaries, the opportunity to attend Mass, and the option to receive Sunday readings, prayers, and reflections by email. Assistance from ministers of other Christian denominations, Islam, or Judaism is also available.

In the late 19th century, various Catholic missions for seafarers operated under various auspices, attending to the spiritual, social, and material well-being of visiting crews in many ports worldwide.

However, it was in 1920 at the port of Glasgow that Father Egger SJ laid the foundations of the future Apostleship of the Sea, under the auspices of the Society of the Apostleship of Prayer. Father Egger, along with Franciscan monk Peter Anson and layman Arthur Gannon, recognized the need for specific apostolic work for seafarers. That same year, on October 4, the first meeting of Stella Maris - Apostleship of the Sea took place in Glasgow. The emblem of the Apostleship of the Sea, representing the Sacred Heart of Jesus on an ancient anchor, was created at this time.

In Spain, this international organization has been present since 1923, when Mallorcan Bishop Mons. Josep Miralles promoted its establishment at the port of Barcelona.

The Church has been engaged with seafarers for over a hundred years. Currently, they are present in 322 ports in 56 countries. In Spain, they are stationed in 15 ports. In these ports, 126 pastoral agents, 10 priests, 3 deacons, and 114 lay collaborators and volunteers await the crews docking at the ports. Annually, over 5,400 ships are visited, and more than 6,200 seafarers visit these centers. In total, around 40,000 merchant seafarers and fishermen benefit from their visits and facilities.