“We reach out to them, and they aid us with various needs,” shared Second Officer Sunit Kamal, explaining how they help connect distant families via video calls, assist with currency exchange, and even deliver small Christmas presents. The 33-year-old noted that they also provide Bibles in various languages in the organization’s cozy lobby, which features a statue of Mary—the Latin term for ‘Star of the Sea’—reflecting the organization’s dedication to spiritual support.
Stella Maris does more than just provide religious services; it addresses labor abuses and serves as a crucial delivery spot for packages from Amazon. The leaders and volunteers involved with the organization view their efforts not merely as acts of charity but as affirmations of the rights of seafarers who play an essential role in global trade, often under challenging conditions and for low wages, which remain largely invisible to the public—even in bustling tourist destinations like Barcelona.
“It’s all about pastoral care, aimed at helping individuals meet their needs as human beings,” remarked Ricard Rodríguez-Martos, the Catholic deacon and former merchant mariner overseeing Stella Maris in Barcelona, supported by the local bishops’ council. “Seafarers often feel they are viewed solely as components of a ship.”
The United Nations states that over 80% of international trade volume in goods is transported by sea, making seafarers vital players in the supply chain for products ranging from fresh produce to automobiles.
Founded in Scotland over a century ago by a group of Catholic volunteers, Stella Maris has grown to operate in more than 50 countries and 350 ports worldwide, from Barcelona to Buenos Aires and from Manila to Miami. Tim Hill, the national director of Stella Maris UK, the largest entity within this global network, emphasized, “Our mission focuses on practical, pastoral, and spiritual support for seafarers, fishermen, and their families of all faiths.” He noted the range of challenges presented to their team.
One of the primary issues faced by seafarers is profound isolation—especially as their time in port dwindles and ship crews become increasingly ethnically diverse. This dynamic often leaves crews composed largely of men from the Philippines, Ukraine, and other regions with few familiar connections during their long ocean voyages.
When volunteers visit ships, requests typically include seeking SIM cards for connecting with family. However, they are often confronted with much graver needs—ranging from hospital visits for injured crew members to complaints regarding bullying, harassment, refusals of shore leave, or even cases where crew members find themselves abandoned without food, pay, or the means to return home, as Hill detailed.
A global network of ministries for seafarers facilitates a safer space for crews to share their concerns confidentially with chaplains, who can then escalate issues to appropriate legal authorities across different jurisdictions. Just last summer, a chaplain in Houston raised an alarm about a problematic ship en route to Barcelona. Consequently, Rodríguez-Martos alerted port authorities, prompting them to intervene once the vessel docked in Spain and enforce necessary repairs.
He collaborates closely with his counterparts in Marseille, France, known for its prior docking points along the Mediterranean. Both Barcelona—which hosted the America’s Cup regattas recently—and Marseille, the site of Olympic sailing events in the same year, provide vital support to seafarers.
The centers in these cities emulate a “club” atmosphere, furnished with a small bar, souvenirs for sale, and recreational areas including basketball courts, pool tables, table tennis, and foosball. Additionally, literature featuring religious content, along with maps highlighting local attractions, are provided since seafarers often desire to see more of the world after extended periods at sea, explained Gérard Pelen, one of the founders of the Marseille ministry.
Many seafarers express a desire to visit Notre Dame de la Garde, the basilica adorned with maritime-themed votive offerings, emphasized Marc Feuillebois, director of the Marseille welcome center, which sees around 10,000 seafarers each year. “It’s often the first and last sight they have,” he noted, referring to the hilltop church that gazes over the bay.
Religious observance among seafarers manifests in requests for worship services or holding faith gatherings onboard; however, interest in such activities has waned over the years. “We only approach the topic if we sense their interest,” Rodríguez-Martos explained, citing plans for a Christmas Eve Mass despite last year’s empty attendance in the small Stella Maris chapel, where a figure of Christ is depicted on an old anchor.
Regardless of personal beliefs, seafarers display a strong eagerness to engage with volunteers and faith leaders, seeking non-judgmental human interaction. “They realize that what they share remains confidential. Within five minutes, we delve into open and honest dialogue,” recounted Jean-Philippe Rigaud, a Catholic deacon leading the Marseille ministry. With a background in container shipping and experience as a port pilot, he affirmed that seafarers frequently share their concerns, requests for prayers, or inquiries about global events.
Rigaud’s long-time wife, Marie-Agnes, emphasized the significance of outreach to seafarer families as well. She remembered providing comfort to the family of a Filipino seafarer for whom she prayed at the morgue and frequently hosts families for Christmas meals in their home outside Marseille.
Bryan Parrish, an American Protestant pastor, underscored the need to address loneliness among seafarers. He recently volunteered at the Marseille mission after founding a “seaman’s club” in La Rochelle, on France’s Atlantic coast, over three decades ago. He noted that even the simplest gestures, such as delivering little Nativity scenes and nougat candy to ships in Barcelona on Christmas Eve, make a significant impact.
“This act communicates, ‘It’s Christmas; we’re thinking of you,’” said Rodríguez-Martos, highlighting the essential message of hope and connection brought to those at sea during the holiday season.
