Every Summer, in any Spanish village by the sea, an ensemble of sailors take out our lady Stella Maris (the Star of the Sea) from her chapel. They bring her to the dock and sail her on a procession, through their village shores, on a beautiful adorned small boat.
I spend Summers taking people on holidays, and as I just go into port once per week, I never know where this especial date is going to catch me. Some years we are in a little cave, far away from the crowd, and we miss it. This last time I happened to be changing crews, stopping over in Menorca Island. After we arrived we went to celebrate the end of our trip with Maria and Aitor, and they intruduced me to their local friend Maria. She told us that the day after she was going on his uncle’s small sail boat to follow “sa processor de la Verge de Carme”. I wanted to go! but Narinan was in the middle of a crew change, so using her to be in the procession was not a great idea. So I asked Maria if I could join them, and she accepted!
“Stella Maris” is an allegory of Mary's role as "guiding star" for sailors . Under this name, the Virgin Mary is believed to intercede as a guide and protector of seafarers. For that reason many coastal churches are named “Stella Maris” or “Star of the Sea”. The idea of Mary as a guiding star for seafarers has led to devotion to Our Lady, in many Catholic coastal and fishing communities.
Maó is a unique place, one of the largest natural harbours around the world, historical, very pretty. And there we were, surrounded by lots of other boats. From very religious to not so religious sailors, but all of them honoring Our Lady for equal. I’m quite shy, but Maria’s family was really nice, more than welcoming. I’m very grateful that they hosted me onboard. I’ll always remember their cute and so well dressed boat and her crew. Fair winds to sail vessel “Alba” i visca sa patrona ;) !!
