STAR of the SEA

Dr. Stephane Rene

The STAR of the SEA is the most ancient of titles for Our Lady, yet obviously one we love- being in the middle of a sea!. It is premised that in the time of Our Lord the equivalent phrase of Our Lady in the Aramaic language of that day meant pilot, leader or guide, someone who could navigate through the sea or the desert by the stars and lead people to safety.  The stars were and are used as a guide to safety and to new life. The sea covers all the earth and symbolizes all the people of the earth. Our Lady was therefore identified from the very earliest days of the Church as the guiding light to her son, Our Lord, for all the people of the earth.

The words Star of the Sea are a translation of the Latin title Stella Maris.

The title was used to emphasize Mary's role as a sign of hope and as a guiding star for Christians, especially Gentiles, whom the Old Testament Israelites metaphorically referred to as the sea, meaning anyone beyond the "coasts", or, that is to say, sociopolitical, and religious borders of Israelite territory. Under this title, the Virgin Mary is believed to intercede as a guide and protector of those who travel or seek their livelihoods on the sea.

Lawrence Klimecki

"Stella Maris (The Star of the Sea) has long been the favorite title by which people of the sea have called on her in whose protection they have always trusted: the Blessed Virgin Mary. Her son, Jesus Christ, accompanied his disciples in their vessels, helped them in their work and calmed the storms.  And so the Church accompanies seafarers, caring for the special spiritual needs of those who for various reasons live and work in the maritime world".   Pope John Paul II


 Hail, bright star of ocean,
God's own Mother blest,
Ever sinless Virgin,
Gate of heavenly rest.

Taking that sweet Ave
Which from Gabriel came,
Peace confirm within us,
Changing Eva's name.

Break the captives' fetters,
Light on blindness pour,
All our ills expelling,

Every bliss implore.

Show thyself a Mother;
May the Word Divine,
Born for us thy Infant,
Hear our prayers through thine.

Virgin all excelling,
Mildest of the mild,
Freed from guilt, preserve us,
Pure and undefiled.

Keep our life all spotless,
Make our way secure,
Till we find in Jesus,
Joy forevermore.

Through the highest heaven
To the Almighty Three,
Father, Son and Spirit,
One same glory be. Amen.