Our Lady and the Ship

Our Lady and the Ship

Many years ago a boy named Martin lived on a farm Saskatchewan. He worked hard with his family, milking the cows, gardening and plowing the fields.

All of the family loved Our Lady very much and out in the front yard they had a beautiful statue of Our Lady called the Star of the Sea. Often during the day the whole family would go there to pray the Angelus or some other prayers and on summer evenings, they would say the family Rosary at this little shrine.

When Martin was twenty-one, he decided to try being a sailor even though he did not have any experience. His family bid him farewell and he set off for Ireland. One month later he arrived in Ireland, and there he met the Captain of a ship. He asked if he could help out on the ship and the Captain was only too happy to have the young lad on board, “I should be glad to have yeh work for me young laddie, but have yeh ever worked on a ship before?” Martin replied that he had no experience but that he was willing to try. “Well are yeh at least good at climbing, because sometimes yeh will have to climb the mast and fix or loosen the sails?”

Martin’s face brightened, “Yes Captain, I have often climbed on the roof of a barn to fix the shingles, I have climbed many a tall tree and I have often climbed a forty foot high windmill, that pumped water for our farm!”

The Captain was pleased with the answer, “Then I’ll give yeh a try laddie, we set sail at 7:00 tomorrow. Tonight yeh can stay with the other shipmates.”

Martin was up at the crack of dawn, said his morning prayers and his Rosary, and after eating a good breakfast, he set off for the port where the ship was. The day looked very promising, it was bright and sunny and the sky was clear. When they set sail, the lad busied himself tying ropes, washing the deck and learning the tricks of the trade. About four hours later, a sudden gust of wind blew across the deck. Martin turned and looked at the sky. Big grey clouds were moving in, there wasn’t a moment to lose. The Captain shouted out, “We’re in for a storm boys. Take yer places and mind yeh don’t lose yer balance. Martin, I want yeh to climb up the mast and untie the sails. They have to come done or were goners!”

By now the ship was rocking back and forth and the waves were splashing onto the deck. The whole situation was looking very dangerous indeed! The lad said a quick prayer to Mary, the Star of the Sea, and climbed up the mast. The Captain was nearby with another crew member in case something should go wrong. When Martin reached the top, he looked down. The deck was far below and with the ship rocking back and forth, he was afraid that he might fall. Martin turned as white as a sheet. The Captain seeing him in this state shouted, “Look up boy! Look up!”

Looking up, the frightened lad prayed again to Our Lady, the Star of the Sea. Suddenly he was no longer afraid and went about his work, high up on the mast. When he came down the Captain praised him for his good work. “Well done boy, but where did yeh get yer courage from?” “From Our Lady, Martin replied. “I called on Mary the Star of the Sea and she came to my aid!”

Sometimes life gets very stormy, especially when the devil tempts you. At these times, call on Mary and beg her to help you not to sin. Keep praying during these tough times and you can be sure that Mary, Our Mother will come to help you!

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