Fr. Bel R. San Luis, SVD : Thank you Pinoy seafarers!

Thank you Pinoy seafarers!
Fr. Bel R. San Luis, SVD September 24, 2022, https://mb.com.ph/2022/09/24/thank-you-pinoy-seafarers-2/

Tomorrow, Sept. 25, is National Seafarers Sunday. According to the office of the Apostleship of the Sea in Manila headed by Fr. Paulo Prigol, CS, director and chaplain, “seafarers” is a broad term which refers to people working in ships, active and retired seamen, fishermen, those waiting for maritime employment, including maritime students.

* * *
While the Apostleship of the Sea provides primarily spiritual comfort and assistance to seafarers, it also offers counseling and para-legal support in cases of abusive and illegal treatments, medical claims on accidents and disability in the line of duty.

* * *
I remember the late SVD missionary Fr. Ben Prado, who was in charge of Filipino seafarers in Djakarta, Indonesia. He related to me how he, in his aged condition, would climb up the gigantic cargo or passenger ships wherein many Filipino seamen worked, and would celebrate mass.

Part of his pastoral work was to collect the salaries of the seamen and saw to it that they reached their families back home.

* * *

For those who wish to know more about the Apostleship of the Sea or seek help regarding problems of seafarers, contact Fr. Paulo Prigol, CS, director and AOS chaplain with office on Bonifacio Drive corner 8th St., Port Area, Manila or e-mail [email protected].
* * *