Davao, blessing a ship

When the MV Sampaquita gained an important new contract, the captain and crew invited Father Jack Walsh to join in their celebrations.

The MV Sampaquita is a refrigerator cargo ship which carries banana exports throughout Asia. The officers and crew are all Filipino. The new contract means that the ship will make regular visits to ports in Japan, Taiwan and Korea returning to the port of Davao, in the Philippines, twice a month.

To celebrate the new contract, Father Jack Walsh, AOS port chaplain in Davao, said Mass onboard and blessed the ship. Several of the seafarers' wives were also present.

Above: Fr Jack blesses the engine room Left: Captain Kim Cortes reads during Mass

Father Jack distributes Holy Communion to the crew during Mass

Fr Jack with seafarers' wives Mrs Nening Hizon and Mrs Yolly Capellianes at the Stella Maris Center in Davao. click here for contact details of AOS in Davao click here to read more about AOS in the Philippines