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This is a story of hope with Stella Maris in Algeciras and the Diocese of Cadiz and Ceuta (Spain) The diocese of Cadiz and Ceuta is located along the Strait of Gibraltar, one of the busiest waterways in the world where about 300 boats pass every day, that is to say a boat every 5 minutes. In this maritime movement, there are many people who left their families, friends and homelands to seek a better future.  Pope John Paul II affirmed that the Church must have a particular pastoral support with the people of the sea (Apostolic Letter, "Motu Proprio" Stella Maris, on the Maritime Apostolate, 1997 Vatican City). It is in this spirit that the Diocese of Cadiz and Ceuta welcomes the invitation to establish Stella Maris Centres in the main ports of their territory, such as Cadiz, Algeciras and Ceuta. It hopes to bring the Gospel to the people of the sea and offers them social, spiritual and practical support.  Concretely, Mgr. Rafael Zornoza Boy, started the process of establishing the Stella Maris center in the Port of Cadiz last July 2024 and appointed Fr. Antonio Diufain Mora as responsible for this initial process. In December 2024, Fr. Jovannie Postrano Serrano, CS, a Scalabrinian priest residing in Algeciras, was appointed coordinator of the Stella Maris services in the diocese of Cadiz and Ceuta. On 25 February 2025, the Stella Maris Center in the port of Cadiz was inaugurated and blessed. In addition, it has also initiated informal dialogue with the Port Authority and the port community of Algeciras. We discussed how we can collaborate for the well-being of seafarers. On the other hand, communication with the Port of Cadiz has not yet begun. It remains a plan that will certainly be implemented in the near future.  At the start of the operation of Stella Maris, welfare services for seafarers are certainly very minimal due to lack of material and human resources. Our pastoral project and plan for this year is to secure sufficient material and human resources to provide adequate welfare services to seafarers. At first, it was not clear what path to take in order to meet these challenges. But then, the fraternal support of the chaplains in the Catholic Scalabrinian Network of Stella Maris, present in 18 ports around the world, offer some lights that illuminate our decision-making. In addition, the closeness of the National Director of Stella Maris (Spain), Rev. Deacon Ricardo Rodríguez Martos Dauer, who continues to send information, updates, news and offering his availability to help, is truly a treasure.  The essential activities of the Stella Maris in the port, such as visiting ships, have not yet started due to the bureaucratic factor. However, we have started to explore the port of Algeciras thanks to some of our parishioners and also port workers who helped us. In addition to this, we have also started building the visibility of our online presence through social media and website. We have also started building networks at the international, national and local levels.  In conclusion, it is not easy to establish Stella Maris from scratch but everything will work out according to the help of many good people and through the inspiration of Mother Mary, the Star of the Sea. The presence of the church in some important ports along the Strait of Gibraltar will soon be seen thanks to people in the diocese of Cadiz and Ceuta. by Fr. Jovannie Postrano, CS

A journey of Hope with Stella Maris

Mariner’s Prayer Our Lady, Star of the Sea, Mother of God and our Mother, you know all the dangers of soul and body that threaten mariners. Protect your sons and daughters who work and travel on the waters of the world, and protect also their families that await their return. Star of the Sea, Mother of the Church, give light and strength to those chaplains and lay ministers who bring the love of your Divine Son among mariners. Fill their hearts with a supernatural and life-giving zeal for the apostolate. Star of the Sea, light shining in the darkness, be a guide to those who sail amid the storms and dangers of life. Enlighten the hearts of ardent disciples and bring us all to the safety of heaven’s port. Amen.

Celebrating Holy Mass on board when I visited Stella Maris Ravenna (Italy) last November 2024 Stella Maris (Apostleship of the Sea) was founded in Glasgow (Scotland) in October 1920, and now it is the largest ship-visiting Catholic network in the world that provides pastoral, social, and practical support to the people of the sea. Pope John Paul II motu proprio , “Stella Maris on the Maritime Apostolate,” affirms the importance of providing special pastoral attention to a specific group of people who are engaged in the maritime industry, such as seafarers and fishers. With this similar intention, the Diocese of Cádiz and Ceuta has started the ministry of Stella Maris. The diocese is located along the Strait of Gibraltar, one of the world’s busiest waterways. It connects the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, and about 300 ships cross the strait every day; that is one ship every 5 minutes. Among many ports in this area, the ports of Cadiz, Ceuta, and Algeciras are the most significant ports under the diocesan pastoral territory. Among these three ports, Algeciras is considered one of the most important ports not only in Spain but also in Europe. It accommodates almost 29,000 ships every year.              In these maritime movements, there are certainly people who need pastoral, social, and practical assistance. In response, the bishop of Cadiz and Ceuta, Mons. Rafael Zornoza Boy, started the process of establishing the Stella Maris centre in the port of Cadiz. Last July 2024, he nominated Fr. Antonio Diufain Mora as in charge of the initial opening of Stella Maris in Cadiz. In December 2024, a Scalabrinian priest who is based in Algeciras, Fr. Jovannie Postrano, CS, was nominated as coordinator of the Stella Maris services in the diocese. In addition to this, on the 25th of February, the Stella Maris Centre in Cadiz was inaugurated by Mons. Rafael with the presence of the port commission of welfare. Regarding the port of Algeciras, Stella Maris was already presented to the port community and it is now in the process of having a permit to start the ship visits.             Although the presence of Stella Maris ministry in this area is necessary, its welfare services for the people of the sea are very minimal due to many factors, such as scarcity of material and human resources. In response to this actual challenge, we establish our main objective this year: “To provide sufficient welfare services for the seafarers in the initial operation of the Stella Maris centre.” Our activities will be guided by a project and plan that help us achieve our goal.               We have just started, and we do not have any available funds to support our activities and needs to operate our mission. But with the help of the people and organizations who are in solidarity with the people of the sea, the Stella Maris centre will surely be established, and its activities will certainly start. Furthermore, we have started to share our goals with other Stella Maris centres by building a network. We have shared information with Stella Maris Spain, whose director is Rev. Deacon Ricardo Rodriguez Martos Dauer, and the Stella Maris Scalabrini International Network. We aim to share our dreams and encourage people to help us achieve these dreams for the welfare of the people of the sea.  The success of the Stella Maris operation depends on many factors, such as the availability of material and human resources. May Our Mother Mary, Stella Maris, protect us always. by Fr. Jovannie Postrano, CS Stella Maris Chaplain - Diocese of Cádiz and Ceuta (Spain)