How the Feast of Our Lady of Carmel (Stella Maris) inspired us?

Prayers, songs, rosary, and laughter were simple moments that showed the joy of celebrating the feast of Our Lady of  Carmel. In Spanish tradition, she is known as “the star of the sea” and the patroness of the seafarers. The Stella Maris community celebrated her feast on the 16^th of July 2025 and the day of the seafarers. The novena or the 9 days of prayer, rosary and mass was also held in the Parish of Our Lady of Carmel in Algeciras. As the activities of the parish continued, moments to remember and pray for the seafarers were also offered. The devotion of the people to Our Mother Mary can also be noted in the works and sacrifices of the devotees and the group of the Fraternity of our Lady of Carmel as they prepared the special day.  

On the feast day, after the mass, we were invited by the port authority to celebrate the feast of our Mother and the day of the seafarers. It was a wonderful moment of staying together and wishing everyone for the success of their work and their mission. In the evening, a great number of people gathered together to participate in the procession that started from the chapel of the charity, passed by the city centre and then went to the port where the image was put into the boat for a fluvial procession that was accompanied by many small boats. During the procession, I heard people praising “Long Live Mary! Long live beautiful Mother! Long Live Our lady of Carmel! Long Live Patroness of the seafarers! Long Live Star of the Sea!

It was really great to witness this amazing culture. I was certainly happy to experience the great love of  people for our Mother Mary, The Star of the Sea. As a person who is organising and building the Stella Maris in the Port of Algeciras, this devotion gave me an inspiration to continue what we have started. May mother Mary, the star of the sea, continue to give us light as we sail in the ocean of hope.

Fr. Jovannie Serrano Postrano, CS