A Spiritual Vision for Seafarers’ Welfare: Bishop Frank Schuster
On February 23, during the Houston Training, we were honored by the presence of Bishop Frank Schuster, Stella Maris Bishop Promoter for the United States. His participation brought both pastoral encouragement and theological depth to the gathering. Speaking first at Morning Prayer, he reflected on the Gospel of Jesus walking on the water and connected it powerfully to the lived experience of those in seafarers’ ministry. Drawing on the Genesis image of primordial chaos — tohu wa bohu — he described the stormy waters of life as moments when “what was ordered becomes disordered,” yet reminded us that Christ steps into precisely that chaos. “When we are focused on Jesus as a people of faith,” he said, “we can transcend the storminess.” Without Christ in the boat, the storm overwhelms; with him, it becomes manageable.
Later, in his extended reflection on “Spiritual Vision,” Bishop Schuster turned to the healing of Bartimaeus and explored Christianity as fundamentally “a way of seeing.” Quoting Bishop Robert Barron, he emphasized that “Christianity is first and foremost a way of seeing. Everything in the Christian life flows from a transformation of vision.” He illustrated this through personal stories — receiving his first pair of glasses as a child and suddenly seeing the world in clarity — and through theological reflection on metanoia, the call to “transcend your mind” and see reality through God’s eyes.
For those engaged in maritime ministry, he described evangelization as “spiritual optometry.” In a ministry of hospitality, he noted, much begins with presence and witness: “Preach the Gospel at all times. If necessary, use words.” First impressions matter. Symbols matter. “Optics matter.” When we step aboard a ship, we enter someone else’s home. We are there to welcome, to listen, and to serve. In his words, seafaring ministry can be summed up simply: “Make a friend. Be a friend. Bring a friend to Christ.”
He also spoke candidly about the danger of discouragement and burnout, using the metaphor of the black dot on a white page to warn against focusing only on darkness while missing the light and grace surrounding us. Spiritual vision, he reminded us, allows us to see not only the world differently, but ourselves differently — as God sees us. Echoing Archbishop Fulton Sheen, he described God as a “Relentless Lover” who pursues the soul.
Bishop Schuster concluded by inviting us to examine our own sight: “What would happen if we saw ourselves and the world around us with Jesus’ eyes?” For those serving seafarers — strangers who become neighbors — this question lies at the heart of the ministry. His presence in Houston was a gift, and his reflections offered both encouragement and a renewed spiritual foundation for the work ahead.
