Columban Fr Tony Cox is Chaplain to Seafarers at Stella Maris Melbourne. Photo: Fr Tony Cox
Seafaring and the Seafarer Sunday: Sunday July 13th, 2025
Henry Nouwen was a Dutch priest who died in 1996. He was a professor, a writer, and a theologian whose interests were rooted primarily in psychology, pastoral ministry, spirituality, social justice, and community. He was one whom I always looked up to.
I cannot remember when or where he wrote it, but something he wrote has always stayed with me, and I have always tried to make it a part of my Missionary Priesthood and life. Recently, it has become almost a mantra in my ministry, which involves sharing life with the Seafarers of our world who visit Australia, those within the Seafaring Community, and the world members of Stella Maris.
While I see it as a mantra for myself, it can also be used by all Missionary Disciples of our God because it is the Gospel in action. As Nouwen shared, "Reaching out is transformative, not only for the recipient but also for the giver, for in this action, we are invited to act from the depths of our hearts and in doing so, we realise that we are never alone and, importantly, that God's gifts of love and wisdom are there."
In Pope Francis' Pastoral Letter "Dilexit Nos," he discusses how our fast-paced, consumer-driven lifestyles lead many to neglect the importance of the heart. His emphasis is on encounter. Reflecting on all this, it is a good foundation for celebrating Sea Sunday, which is celebrated worldwide each year in July. It is an occasion whereby we reflect on the lives, the hardships, the dedication, the dangers and the service to our world of all Seafarers. Whilst it is seen as a time of being made aware of the plight of those at sea, it is also seen as an opportunity to extend an invitation for all to join in and continue yet another aspect of the Church's Missionary Outreach and Ministry. When we give, we receive! Likewise, too, the Seafarer!
You see any ship at sea, and a particular wonder, a fantasy, and a promised adventure is aroused in you. But what you see is certainly not what you get in reality. Would you believe that only a few years ago, roughly 1.89 million Seafarers were operating over 74,000 vessels in the global merchant fleet that sail our seas and oceans? There are usually 25 male and female crew members on large container cargo ships. These are not just statistics because to each one is a human story of "Unsung Heroes" who often find themselves in situations where the wages are low, living conditions poor, the work dangerous, and the challenges to health and happiness are compromised due to the long stints away from family and friends; these are the challenges of life out at sea for seafaring communities.
Yes, they are "Unsung Heroes", but in relationship to the seafarers, there are what I like to call the "Support and Engines." These are the Shipping Agencies, Port Authorities, Unions, Border Protection and Security, Maintenance Groups, Insurance Bodies, Environmental Agencies, Crane Operators on the docks, Paramedics, those who fight for the rights of seafarers, container truck drivers, and even the humble bus drivers among the docks working alongside Volunteers who share so much time and talent 24/7! It is a city within a city, a city within a port; these are communities within a community.
We do have to become more aware because we receive so much. Let us bring the lives of the whole Seafaring community to the forefront of our thinking and awareness today, and perhaps in some small way, we might be able to help and support them. May we all become more Grateful and Grace-Filled!
As Pope Francis has so simply written in "Dilexit Nos," 'There is a great need to learn to love in a world that seems to have lost its heart. It is through actions, words and love that we aspire for every person, to ensure their place in the world has an impact on all whom they encounter.'
May we all "Launch out into the Deep"
For further information, please contact Columban Tony Cox at tcox@columban.org.au or frtony@stellamaris.org.au
