On July 13, 2025, Catholic communities around the world—and especially here in the Diocese of Victoria—will mark Sea Sunday, a day to recognize, celebrate, and pray for seafarers and all who work at sea. This annual observance, held on the second Sunday of July, reminds us that behind the goods we use daily are the hands, hearts, and sacrifices of people who often remain unseen: the men and women working aboard cargo ships, tankers, ferries, and fishing vessels across the globe.
A Diocese Shaped by the Sea
Surrounded by water, Vancouver Island and its neighbouring islands are more than just coastal—we are a maritime people. Whether through ferry travel, fishing, trade, or tourism, countless lives in our diocese are deeply connected to the sea. From Victoria’s Inner Harbour all the way up to Port Hardy’s harbour, the rhythms of island life echo with the tide.
That’s why Sea Sunday holds special meaning for us. We know the power of the ocean, the beauty of its vastness, and also its hardships. We know that while the sea can inspire awe, it can also be lonely and unforgiving. And yet, in the heart of this ever-moving seascape are seafarers who keep our global economy afloat.
"You Are in the Heart of the Church"
In his 2025 Sea Sunday Message, Cardinal Michael Czerny SJ, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, reminds us that seafarers are not forgotten:
“All those who work at sea… are in the heart of the Church; they are not alone in their demands for justice, dignity, and joy.”
This message is rooted in the wisdom of Vatican II, which affirms that anything truly human speaks to the heart of the Church. Seafarers—who leave their homes for months at a time, facing isolation, uncertainty, and often unjust working conditions—embody a deep human longing: to live a life of dignity through honest work and connection.
Pilgrims of Hope
As we live the 2025 Jubilee year, centred on the theme of Hope, Cardinal Czerny calls us to see seafarers as “pilgrims of hope.”
“You are pilgrims of hope every time you work with care and love,” he writes. “Every time you keep alive the bonds with your families and your communities; every time that in the face of social and environmental injustice you organize yourselves to react and respond courageously and constructively.”
In a world where the dignity of workers is often compromised and where global systems can obscure the human cost of commerce, this call to recognize seafarers as prophets of peace is both urgent and transformative.
A Ministry of Presence
Here in the Diocese of Victoria, our Stella Maris Ministry is a concrete expression of hope. Led by Deacon Philip Yuson, who serves as Port Chaplain, Stella Maris brings the presence of Jesus Christ to the docks, offering support, prayer, and encouragement to seafarers far from home.
Whether through a kind conversation, a visit on board, or helping someone contact their family, this ministry lives out the Gospel by accompanying those whose lives are lived between shores. It is a reminder that the Church is not confined to buildings, but sails the seas alongside those who serve on them.
The Sea Calls Us to Conversion
This Sea Sunday, let us hear Cardinal Czerny’s invitation to “shine some light on what lies behind our economies” and to ask:
- Who is benefitting from the systems we take for granted?
- Who is paying the price, often unseen?
The sea is not just a geographical feature—it is a spiritual environment, one that calls us to conversion, to solidarity, to peace.
As Cardinal Czerny beautifully puts it: “The sea binds all lands, invites them to look at the infinite horizon, to feel that unity can always prevail over conflict.”
Let us open our hearts to those who live and labour on the sea. Let us honour them with our prayers, our awareness, and our gratitude.
And may we, too, become pilgrims of hope in our own communities—bridges across divides, beacons of peace in a world that longs for it.
All are invited to celebrate a special Mass for Seafarers on July 11, 2025, at 8:45 pm at the Eidelweiss Club in Victoria.
Date: July 11, 2025
Time: 8:45 pm
Location: 3rd Floor Choir Room, Eidelweiss Club* (108 Niagara Street, Victoria)
*This venue can accommodate approximately 60 people, so please arrive early if you wish to celebrate with the ministry.
