In a unique celebration of faith and maritime tradition, the Italian Navy’s warship Antonio Marceglia docked at Pier C0 of Laem Chabang Port in Chonburi, Thailand, within the Diocese of Chanthaburi, as part of its global pilgrimage for Jubilee 2025.
The Italian Embassy in Thailand marked this occasion by organizing a special Eucharistic Celebration on board.
The Mass was presided over by Archbishop Peter Brian Wells, Apostolic Nuncio to Thailand, and concelebrated by Father Thammarat Ruanngam , representing the Diocese of Chanthaburi, along with Redemptorist priest Father John Wirach Amornpattana and the ship’s chaplain.
Captain Commander Alberto Bartolomeo hosted the event, with the participation of H.E. Mr. Paolo Dionisi, Ambassador of the Italian Republic to Thailand.
The Mass drew a distinguished assembly, including military attachés from various embassies in Europe and Asia, senior Thai military officials, and government representatives.
Among them were Admiral Nattapol Deewanich, Commander of the Thai Naval Fleet, and advisors to the Thai Minister of Defense.
The Catholic presence was also strong, with Sisters of the Congregation of the Lovers of the Cross, seminarians, and members of the Catholic Business Executives and Professionals (CBEP) in attendance.
Although Bishop Philip Adisak Phorn-Ngarm of Chanthaburi was unable to attend due to another commitment, he sent a special gift for the ship’s captain: sacred images of St. Philip and Stella Maris (Star of the Sea), invoking the Virgin Mary’s protection for the ship’s crew.
Also present were key representatives of Stella Maris, the Catholic Church’s global maritime ministry dedicated to supporting seafarers and combating human trafficking in the fishing industry.
Stella Maris provides pastoral care, advocacy, and assistance to seafarers, fishers, and their families worldwide.
For many attendees, the experience was profoundly moving. Maria Thearrat Amornnontarith, who attended with her husband and ten-year-old daughter, Grace, as representatives of the Catholic Business Executives and Professionals (CBEP), shared her excitement:
“It was the first time in our family’s life that we had the opportunity to visit a warship still in active service. And this is not just any warship—it is traveling the world for the Jubilee Year, making a pilgrimage of faith.”
She was particularly impressed by the ship’s formal military protocol:
“When an ambassador, military attachés, or high-ranking officials board the ship, they blow a whistle as a sign of honor. The captain and senior sailors welcomed guests with great dignity.”
Mass of many tongues
The liturgy reflected the international nature of the gathering. The Our Father was prayed in English, Italian, and Thai, symbolizing the unity of nations within the Church. Grace, the young daughter of the Amornnontarith family, was especially captivated by the trilingual celebration:
“The Apostolic Nuncio led the Mass in English, while a sailor read the Italian text, and my parents read the English readings. I loved when he said, ‘This is worship on the warship!’”
Her mother, Prim, echoed the sentiment:
“It was a deeply meaningful Mass. In this Holy Year, it showed how people of different nations and even different religions can come together in faith.”
In his homily, Archbishop Wells drew parallels between the journey of the warship and the spiritual voyage of life:
“Standing here today, aboard this vessel—a symbol of strength and journey—we find ourselves, like the disciples of old, navigating the waters of life. We embark on this particular voyage, a voyage within the Jubilee of Hope.”
He reminded the congregation of the lessons of Jesus in the desert from the Gospel of the day, urging them to resist temptations and embrace the spirit of the Jubilee of Hope. He also highlighted the enduring Christian symbol of the anchor:
“In Christian iconography, the anchor has always been a symbol of hope. When a ship is anchored, it is safer and more secure. Likewise, hope is our anchor, promising a better tomorrow. When our faith anchors us to the rock of Christ and His Church, we are truly safe.”
The Antonio Marceglia continues its journey as part of the Italian Navy’s global pilgrimage for Jubilee 2025, bringing with it a message of faith, unity, and hope to ports around the world.
This historic “worship on the warship” was not only a unique encounter between faith and the military but also a powerful testament to the universality of the Church.
