On Ash Wednesday, our South Coast port chaplain Rev Roger Stone BEM went on board M/T Atlantic Mate in Fawley, marking the start of Lent for the Filipino officers and crew who could not go ashore.
Imposition of Ashes and an explanation of the meaning of Lent were particularly welcomed by the faithful Catholic seafarers.
The next day he went on board Grande Anversa at Southampton to do the same.
"Remember man that you are dust and to dust you shall return".
"Between the imposition of Ashes today and the day we die, let us try and repent and believe the gospel. By believing let us joyfully love one another as Jesus loves us," says Roger.
Meanwhile at the Seafarers Centre in Tilbury, our port chaplain Wojciech Holub held a prayer service and distributed ash to seafarers and colleagues in the chapel at the Seafarers' Centre on Ash Wednesday. Wojciech sent us this reflection; "Not even a full year has gone and all the hosanna we sung waving palms have turned into dust! One day we ourselves will be like this dust too. In all this – not in the dust – but in the risen Christ, we will rise to such a life that we will be beyond this earthly struggle, pain and worries."
[snippet:aos-donate]