Every year, on the second Sunday of July, Catholic communities around the world dedicate a day to pray for all those who spend their lives at sea.
POPE FRANCIS
Today, we celebrate Sea Sunday. We remember with respect and gratitude all the seafarers for their valuable work as well as the chaplains and volunteers of 'Stella Maris.' I entrust the seafarers who are stranded in war zones to Our Lady, that they may return home.
On this day, nicknamed 'Sea Sunday,' Cardinal Michael Czerny, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, sent a letter to all Christians.
In it, he asks them to reflect on the work of seafarers, which sustains the economy and brings food to all parts of the world every day. To all those at sea, the Cardinal tells them that the Church is in solidarity with them and wants to hear their stories.
Just last year, Pope Francis received the families of the 21 people who died on the Spanish fishing boat that sank on February 15, 2022 near the Canadian coast. The spokeswoman for the grieving families said that the Pope was one of the few public authorities who expressed his concern for them.
MARÍA JOSÉ DE PAZO
Spokesperson for victims' families
Well, we told him, look, we are a family of fishermen. And Jesus was always meeting with fishermen. And you have to be closer to the fishermen too. We are God's people.
And I say: 'You are also a fisherman because, even if you do not catch fish, you, Holy Father, are a fisherman of souls.' And he says: 'No, no, I am a fish.' 'How a fish? How can you be a fish, Holy Father?' And he says to me: 'I am a fish because Jesus caught me first.'
According to the International Chamber of Shipping, almost two million people in the world work in the maritime industry.
CA
TR: KG
