In her journey to Ephesus with St. John, Our Lady requested Jesus' protection of those who journey at sea:
"With the compassion of a most loving Mother for those who trusted their lives to the indomitable fury of the sea in navigating over its waves, She most fervently besought the Almighty to protect from its dangers all who should call upon her name and ask for her intercession. The Lord immediately granted this petition and promised to favor whoever upon the sea should carry some image of Her and should sincerely look upon the Star of the sea, most blessed Mary, for help in its perils. Accordingly it will be understood, that, if the Catholics and the faithful encounter ill success and perish in navigation, it is because they ignore the favors to be obtained from the Queen of the angels, or because on account of their sins they fail to remember Her in the raging storms, or fail to seek her favors with sincere faith and devotion; for neither can the word of the Lord ever fail, nor will the great Mother ever deny assistance to those endangered by the perils of the sea."
CALL TO ACTION: Commend your prayers to the Blessed Virgin Mary for assistance, not only when at sea, but always!
Hail O Star of the ocean, God's own Mother blest,
ever sinless Virgin, gate of heavenly rest
Taking that sweet Ave which from Gabriel came,
peace confirm within us changing Eve's name
Break the sinners' fetters, make our blindness day,
chase all evils from us, for all blessings pray
Virgin all excelling, mildest of the mild
free from guilt preserve us meek and undefiled
Keep our lives all spotless, make our way secure,
till we find in Jesus joy forever more.
Praise to God the Father, honor to the Son,
in the Holy Ghost, be the glory one.
Amen.
Source: Quote taken from "Mystical City of God," Book IV, page 342; Refuge of Sinners Publishing, Inc. (copyright 2014); Imprimatur by the Rev. George J. Blatter, Rome City, Indiana, August 24, 1912.
Photo by Gigi