Sailing with Our Lady

Steve Willow, Russ Fareman and Jo Siedlecka on board with statue of Our Lady of Walsingham

A small boat carrying flags bearing the Celtic Cross, the Holy Spirit Dove and Our Lady Star of the Sea, is currently sailing up the east coast of the UK. Southampton yacht master Russ Fairman is undertaking a 2.5 months long sailing pilgrimage - in aid of seafaring charity Stella Maris who celebrate their 100th anniversary this year.

Beginning with Mass in St Joseph's Church in Southampton on Saturday, 29th April, the 'Mintaka', a 34ft racing yacht is stopping at 50 ports and holy sites along the way, including the Shrines of Our Lady of Walsingham and Our Lady of the Taper in Cardigan, and the holy islands of Lindisfarne, Iona, and Arran.

The list of scheduled stops include Dover, Gravesend, near London, Harwich, Wells, near Walsingham, Grimsby, Blyth, Leith, near Edinburgh, Lochboisdale in the Outer Hebrides, Oban, Campbeltown, and Glasgow where Mass will be held at St Aloysius church - the charity's birthplace. The journey continues across to Ardglass in Northern Ireland, Milford Haven in Wales, and Plymouth prior to its arrival back on the south coast in Portsmouth on Sea Sunday, 9th July, finishing with Mass at Portsmouth Cathedral.

Every few days, Russ takes on a new crew. Steve Willow, Immingham Regional Port Chaplain and Jo Siedlecka, ICN editor, joined the Mintaka recently in Walsingham and sailed with them to Grimsby.

Jo writes: I got to Walsingham early - there was already quite a crowd in the Shrine church, waiting to welcome Russ, Margaret, Bill and Dan, who had sailed from Harwich to Wells next the Sea - about five miles away - and walked from there with the Stella Maris icon to Walsingham. (They were easy to recognise - they were the people with the suntans). During Mass, the Stella Maris icon was placed by the altar. After Mass we went to the Slipper Chapel - one of the oldest Marian shrines in the world - and the crew were presented with a statue of Our Lady of Walsingham.

Later we walked in procession along the Holy Mile praying the Rosary, and then enjoyed a scrumptious dinner with supporters at the pilgrim centre, organised by Shrine CEO Zyg Rakowicz, Deacon Rick Jones, and Pilgrims Event Manager Em Payne.

Reflecting on the Sailing Pilgrimage, Russ spoke about how we were building a circle of prayer around Britain - a spiritual hug - with each stopover, each celebration, like a jewel, embedded into Our Lady's crown.

East Anglia regional port chaplain Julian Wong spoke about the work of Stella Maris - caring for the practical and spiritual needs of seafarers - who these days often are away at sea for many months at a time and often only spend a few hours in port before they set sail again. He described how recently he had met with a Ukrainian ship's officer who had just learnt that several family members trying to leave the war zone had driven over a landmine. On another occasion, a ship's visitor asked the Indian crew whether they needed anything. They said they had most things, but one thing they would love to do - after months living on a metal ship - was to go somewhere with grass where they could walk with bare feet.

After the gathering in Walsingham, Russ, Steve and I were driven to Wells Next the Sea by Russ's daughter - his wife and grand daughter accompanied us - and we got on board the Mintaka. Its a 34 foot yacht designed for racing but also comfortably fitted out with all mod cons. My cabin was up in the focsle.

Next morning we visited the beautiful Our Lady, Star of the Sea church in Wells. We had planned to set sail that night for Grimsby - but Rob the harbourmaster advised against it as the weather was quite stormy. That night the boat was constantly rocking and the wind whistled in the rigging. Next day, after Russ was interviewed by a presenter from EWTN, we had time to explore a bit more of the town and walk down to the sweeping sandy beach with its colourful beach huts and Holkham pine woods - a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Russ (who is a RYA/MCA Yacht Master with over 30 years sailing experience) turned out to be not just a great skipper, but also a good singer, encouraging prayer leader and an excellent cook. He served us some delicious meals - including a fine sweet potato curry and a tasty pasta dish.

In the morning, after getting kitted out in waterproof gear; lifejackets, and some safety guidance (when moving always keep two contact points with the boat) - we left around 11, sailing west out of the breaking seas on the sand bar of Wells. Steve (who had never sailed before) took to the helm like a seasoned mariner. The sea felt quite rough to me - I had to brace myself against the side as the boat swung over from one side to the other at scary angles. Russ assured me the Mintaka would not capsize! On one wall there is a picture of the Pieta and a crucifix with a rosary hanging from it. As the Mintaka surged ahead through the waves, the rosary swung backwards and forwards like a pendulum. By the time we entered the Wash the choppy waves had subsided but we sailed in ahead of schedule because now the tide was pushing us along. In fact we got there so early we had to hover around in the dark in the Humber estuary to be able to get into Grimsby Fish dock that opened at midnight. I'd gone to bed by the time we docked. When I woke up next morning it felt strange that all the rocking and roaring winds had stopped.

Next morning we attended Mass at St Mary on the Sea Church in Grimsby, Steven gave a brief talk about the work of Stella Maris. While more than 80 per cent of the volume of international trade in goods is carried by sea - the life of a seafarer can be tough. Crews spend months away from their families. Port stops are very short. With its network of local chaplains and seafarer centres, Stella Maris offers expert information, advocacy, practical and spiritual support to thousands of seafarers every year who are struggling with loneliness, exhaustion, bullying and exploitation.

He said: "this pilgrimage is a chance to pray for our ports and the towns that we pass, it's for our supporters and also to pray for the work of Stella Maris and the seafarers and fishers that they continue to help."

After Mass, Parish Priest Fr Andrew Cole invited us into the presbytery for a reception where we met with parishioners and supporters. A really lovely bunch of people. I was sad to say goodbye to everyone. Wish I could have stayed longer. Two parishioners kindly gave me a lift to the railway station. I'm enjoying following the voyage on Facebook - and plan to meet the Mintaka when they sail into Portsmouth in July.

If you would like to join Russ as a crew member on the boat for one or more days, please contact russ.fairman@gmail.com

You can also get involved by attending one of the area gatherings that will be held along the way: To sign up see: www.eventbrite.com/cc/celebration-of-seafarers-and-fishers-1992329

Keep up with the pilgrimage on their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/SailingPilgrimages

Find out more about Stella Maris: www.stellamaris.org.uk

See more pictures soon on the ICN Facebook page: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064591363750