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The Apostolate of the Sea is an agency of the Roman Catholic Church, often referred to as Stella Maris (Star of the Sea). It provides pastoral services, "a home away from home" to seafarers in over 300 seaports and over 55 countries located on all continents. Efforts to provide assistants to those who worked on ships began through independent efforts in various countries in the late 19th/early 20th centuries. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul was the first Catholic organization to initiate a program in Great Britain and Canada in 1890. The Apostolate of the Sea has an "episcopal partner" in each country who assists in providing volunteers to staff services. The AOS provides services without regard to religion or nationality. Volunteers staff hostels, coordinate religious services, and provide services to seamen who may be ill or are victims of human trafficking or other legal difficulties. Each year, on the second Sunday of July, the Catholic Church remembers seafarers and prays for them, their families and those who support them. 2020 marked the first centenary of the AOS, which was recognized in a miniature sheet containing €1,10 and €1,15 stamps, designed by artist Stefano Morn. The MIS includes the AOS coat of arms—an anchor intertwined with a life preserver and the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The €1,10 stamp depicts three persons in a boat invoking protection of the Blessed Mother shown on the €1,15 stamp.

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