They safely traveled half-way across the world to a new mission.
They barely escaped the destruction of World War II.
But could they survive being stranded at sea, with no captain to lead them and no supplies to sustain them?
Who is this “they” that I am talking about?
It is a group of six missionaries who belong to the Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters. And I want to share a part of their story[1] with you as we continue to reflect on the titles of Mary in her Litany of Loreto.
Eager Sisters Set Sail
Febuary 1947 was a stormy month in Papua New Guinea. Figuratively speaking, it had been a stormy few years, considering that the whole island had been caught up in the destruction of WWII, which finally ended on September 2, 1945.
But in this particular month, six Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters were “eager” to return to their former missions in Yakamul and Ali along what is called the West Sepik Coast. Their means of transportation would be a 7-ton boat bearing the name, Gabriel. Their first stop on the four-day voyage would be Ali Island.
Trouble on the Horizon
Before they ever reached the island, however, the engine broke down three times. After a few minor repairs were made, the boat continued on its journey. About midnight the engine broke down again. This time however, the captain refused to do anything about it. He chose, instead, to trust in the sea herself, hoping that she would help the boat drift into the Ulingan Bay.
His decision backfired. A strong northwest head wind began to blow that same night, and instead of drifting into the bay as hoped, the Gabriel began rolling her way out to the open sea.
When morning broke the next day, the coastline was still in sight. Something had to be done quickly, because the waves were beginning to get more violent. And so, using the excuse that he was “going to get help”, the captain and four of his crew members got into the Gabriel’s only lifeboat and rowed off to shore.
Stranded Sisters Seek Help
In reality, the captain was not playing the hero, but the coward. He not only abandoned his ship, but he also abandoned the two youngest deckhands and six “panicking seasick Sisters”.
Having made it safely to Papua the first time since they set-out from Europe to embark upon the missionary adventure, and after having survived the Japanese invasion during WWII, the sister were adamant that the Lord would not let them die like this, stranded and drowning at sea. Thus, fervent prayers were sent to Heaven.
After pouring out their hearts to the Lord and pulling their emotions and nerves together, one of the sisters had an idea—a divine inspiration perhaps. She asked the two remaining crew members to “hoist a small sail and stay at the rudder.” If anything, this wise move gave the boat a little more stability amidst the towering waves.
Although the waves came steadily, the time passed ever so slowly. Finally come mid-morning they heard a shout. One of the deckhands caught sight of a small ship on the horizon. Scrambling about, one of the sisters found the boat’s signaling mirror and was able to make contact with approaching vessel. Within a few hours of this providential occurrence, the sisters and their two young companions found themselves safely abroad the boat that had come to their rescue. And as Providence would have it, the ship that came to their rescue bore none other than name of Maria.[2]
Mary, Help of Christians
It is also true in our lives that the Blessed Virgin Mary is ever ready to come to our aid and if necessary, even to our rescue. This is why we honor her with the title Mary, Help of Christians. As we pray in the Memorare, “never was it known that anyone who…implored [her] help…was left unaided.”
Interestingly enough, this advocation is the second oldest Marian title after that of Theotokos (God-bearer). St. John Chrysostom is recorded as being the first to call Mary, Boetheia—“Help”—in a homily dating back to the year 345 AD. Meanwhile, Pope Pius V is credited for having officially added her title of Auxilium Christianorum (Help of Christians) to the Litany of Loreto. But over the last three centuries credit should also be given to another pious man by the name of John for making her title ever more known and venerated: St. John Bosco.
Among the many prophetic dreams that God granted this saintly man in life, one night St. John Bosco found himself watching a ship at sea. Like the boat of the Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters we spoke of earlier, this boat was also being tossed amidst violent waves. But unlike the sisters’ story, another boat did not come to its rescue, nevertheless Mary still did. In fact, as Bosco related to his boys later on, the ship he saw in his vision represented the Church. And it remained afloat within the turbulent waters of history thanks to two pillars: the pillar of the Holy Eucharist and the pillar of Mary, Help of Christians.
As you and I continue to make our away along the sea of life, with our sights set on the eternal shores of our heavenly homeland, we can be certain that obstacles will arise. Whether they be the strong winds of worldly desires, the threatening waves of persecutions, or even the fragility of that vessel we call “self”, a son or daughter consecrated to Mary in filial slavery of love should always place their trust in Mary, Help of Christians. No matter what the situation or circumstance, Mary’s compassionate gaze is always watching over us and she is always willing and ready to come to our rescue. Just let her take the tiller!
So seize the day, enkindle your trust, and renew your promise to be all Hers!
[1] Found in Fr. Frank Mihalic’s Readings in PNG Mission History: A chronicle of SVD and SSpS mission involvement on mainland New Guinea between 1946 and 1996, DWU Press, 1999.
[2] Not only did the rescue boat bear the name of Our Blessed Mother, but it also carried onboard Mons. van Baar, the superior of the SVD missions. Upon seeing that the sisters had not made it to the West Sepik missions according to the scheduled time, the priest took it upon himself to go out and look for them.
