Stella Maris (formerly the Apostleship of the Sea) was founded in Glasgow in 1920.  Sadly its centenary celebrations were cut short by the Covid 19 pandemic which wreaked havoc with shipping of every sort – and also increased the demands on the services of the charity.  So it was with great pleasure that Glasgow welcomed Stella Maris to the city for its 25th World Congress and the opportunity to celebrate once more with them.

Delegates from across the globe were welcomed to St Andrew’s Cathedral on 4th October (the feast of St Francis of Assisi) to a concelebrated Mass.  The principal celebrant was Bishop Antony Vadakkumthala of Kannur in India and he was joined by Scottish Bishops Hugh Gilbert, Joseph Toal and Brian McGee, as well as bishops, priests and deacons from countries where Stella Maris operates.  Musical support for the liturgy was provided by the St Mungo Singers and Dr Noel Donnelly on harp.

There was a lovely community feeling to the Mass, with colleagues greeting each other as they arrived.  The choice of hymns during the liturgy reflected the work of the charity and included Lord, you have come to the seashore and Eternal Father, Strong to Save, as well as an acknowledgement of the feastday (Make me a Channel of Your Peace) and the charity’s patron in the final hymn Hail, Queen of Heaven with its refrain Mother of Christ, Star of the Sea.  The congregation participated wholeheartedly in praying and singing, making it a Mass to remember.

In his homily, Bishop Vadakkumthala used the Gospel passage of the day – the story of Martha and Mary – to remind us of the need for both closeness to the Lord in prayer and action for our neighbour in his name.  He also referred to the example of St Francis of Assisi whose feast it was and who was so loved and admired.  He was known for his devotion to prayer, to the search for peace and for his love for the poor and the whole of creation – a model for all involved in Stella Maris.

After the Mass, supporters of Stella Maris were invited to join the delegates at a reception in the Marriott Hotel for a lovely celebration meal and the performance of a play on the founding of the charity.  A beautiful end to a lovely evening.