[Editor's Note: Apostleship of Prayer receives monthly prayer intentions from Pope Benedict XVI and urges Christians throughout the world to unite in prayer for those intentions. The reflections below seek to illuminate the Holy Father's concerns.]
General Intention
Sailors. That the Lord may protect sailors and all those involved in maritime activities.
The Holy Father has seafarers on his mind this month because of the 22nd World Congress of the Apostleship of the Sea, being held in Gdynia, Poland, June 24-29. The last World Congress (Rio de Janeiro 2002) resolved that "globalized maritime industry be given a humane face."
The Pope hopes that this year's congress will achieve much more to "deepen our pastoral care" for all the people of the sea worldwide. He would like to see solidarity that will lead to approval from the International Labor Organization of the proposed Convention on Work in the Fishing Sector. Adoption will raise international standards for safety and just treatment of peoples, especially the poorest who depend on the sea for their livelihoods.
Ninety percent of world trade is carried by the sea, providing work to more than a million seafarers. Thirty million people make a living by fishing. Life at sea means separation from family and home, fierce competition, low wages, and harsh and dangerous working conditions. The rate of suicide for international seafarers is triple that of shore workers, and they are 26 times more likely to be killed at work.
In today's global market you might have a Greek-owned vessel, registered in Malta, with officers from India and a mixed crew from Thailand, Indonesia, Vanuatu, and the Philippines. Imagine the many clashes of culture, religion, and language. How would you cook for such a crew?
Let us join the Holy Father in prayer for the many needs of the people of the sea — safety, just wages, close families, and spiritual welfare.
For reflection
Under the title Stella Maris (Star of the Sea), the Blessed Virgin Mary is the patroness of sailors. Why do you think she possesses special concern for these people?
Scripture
Luke 8:22-25 — "Where is your faith?"
John 6: 16-21 — "It is I. Do not be afraid."
Mission Intention
North African Church. That the Church in North Africa may bear witness to God's love for every individual and all peoples.
Praying for the Church in North Africa means praying for the few Christians who live in the Muslim countries south of the Mediterranean, including Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt. Catholics comprise less than 1 percent of the population of these countries, except in Egypt where Christians represent about 10 percent because of the Coptic Church.
In November 2005 Pope Benedict gave us a shining example of Christian response to North Africa when he beatified Charles de Foucauld, a French priest who served in Algeria. Foucauld gave the nomadic Taureg people the first dictionary and grammar in their language, he wrote down 6,000 verses of their oral poetry, and he translated the four Gospels. In 1916, at 58, Foucauld was shot and killed in a conflict between French forces and Arab insurrectionists.
We know that Foucauld longed for the Tauregs to adopt the Christian faith, but he chose not to instruct them. He hoped to win them over by his kindness and example. Surely he was mindful that the example of Muslims had led him to return to his own faith. Thirty years before, an atheist serving in Algeria with the French military, Foucauld was struck by the Muslims' devotion to God.
Foucauld sought always to live a contemplative life among the poor, spending as much time as possible in prayer. Pope Benedict called Foucauld's humble spirituality an ideal mix of prayer and action, Eucharist and Gospel. Foucauld abandoned himself to the will of God, as you will see in the prayer of the month.
Let us pray that we and other Christians find our own ways to love and serve the people of North Africa.
Reflection
Do you know someone who will not hear the Gospel? How do you share God's love with them?
Scripture
Matthew 2: 13-15 — "Out of Egypt I called my son."
1 John 3: 11-18 — Let us love in deed and in truth.
Daily Offering Prayer
O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer You my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings of this day in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world. I offer them for all the intentions of Your Sacred Heart: the salvation of souls, reparation for sin, and the reunion of all Christians. I offer them for the intentions of our bishops and of all Apostles of Prayer, and in particular for those recommended by our Holy Father this month.
Prayer of the Month
Father, I abandon myself into Your hands; do with me what You will. Whatever You may do, I thank You.
I am ready for all, I accept all.
Let only Your will be done in me and in all Your creatures. I wish no more than this, O Lord.
Into Your hands I commend my soul; I offer it to You, with all the love of my heart, for I love You, Lord, and so need to give myself, to surrender myself into Your hands, without reserve, and with boundless confidence, for You are my Father.
(Blessed Charles de Foucauld's "Prayer of Abandonment")
