Why is Mary known as the "star of the sea?"

[EphelDuath]

What is the significance of the title Stella Maris?

Such as in this prayer:

Loving Mother of the Redeemer,
Gate of heaven, star of the sea,
Assist your people
who have fallen yet strive to rise again,
To the wonderment of nature you bore your Creator,
yet remained a virgin after as before,
You who received Gabriel’s joyful greeting,
have pity on us, poor sinners.

 

[AJV]

See here.

The term is used a lot in the breviary . The version you quoted is from Alma Redemptoris Mater traditionally for Advent especially after Compline. You might have also come across the hymn Ave Maris Stella which is the hymn usually sung at I and II Vespers (Traditional) and II Vespers (NO) for most of her feasts.

The “Maris Stella” also forms the basis for the reading for the holy name of Mary in both the Breviary (at Matins) and the LOTH (at the Office of Readings). An excerpt:

“AND THE NAME- says the Evangelist- of the Virgin was Mary.” Let us also say a few words on this same name ; which by interpretation means “Star of the Sea” : and indeed it is a name very fitly applied to the Virgin Mother

For she is most aptly compared to a star: because as a star, without any. hurt or loss to itself, sends forth its ray, so the Virgin without loss to her virginity, brought forth a Son .As the ray does not diminish the brightness of the star, so neither did the Son the integrity of the Virgin.

She herself, therefore, is that noble star risen out of Jacob, whose rays illuminate the universe; whose radiance shines pre-eminent in the heavens above, and penetrates even hell below, enlightening all regions, and warming hearts more than bodies. She it is that nutures and cherishes our graces, and gently purges out our vices.

She herself, I say, is that resplendent star of passing glory, exalted above this our great and wide-spread ocean to suit our needs, glittering in merits, and illuminating with examples.

O you, whoever you are, who find yourself rolling on this world’s tossing ocean amid storms and tempests, instead of walking on land, do not turn your eyes away from this refulgent star, if you would not be overwhelmed by the storms.

 

[LilyM]

See here.

The term is used a lot in the breviary . The version you quoted is from Alma Redemptoris Mater traditionally for Advent especially after Compline. You might have also come across the hymn Ave Maris Stella which is the hymn usually sung at I and II Vespers (Traditional) and II Vespers (NO) for most of her feasts.

The “Maris Stella” also forms the basis for the reading for the holy name of Mary in both the Breviary (at Matins) and the LOTH (at the Office of Readings). An excerpt:

I think the title ‘Morning Star’ refers more to the qualities of purity etc etc that AJV was talking about. ‘Star of the Sea’ to me seems more specifically to refer to being a beacon or guide for pilgrims, as the stars were used for centuries for navigation by sailors and other travellers.

 

[Malcolm_McLean]

What is the significance of the title Stella Maris?

Such as in this prayer:

It’s a pun. Mare is Latin for “sea”, “Maria” means “woman of the sea”.

However really the name means “bitterness”, which is a rather strange name to give a little girl. Probably it refers to the bitter herbs eaten at Passover, though I’ll research it for you.

 

[AJV]

I think the title ‘Morning Star’ refers more to the qualities of purity etc etc that AJV was talking about. ‘Star of the Sea’ to me seems more specifically to refer to being a beacon or guide for pilgrims, as the stars were used for centuries for navigation by sailors and other travellers.

That wasn’t me- that was St. Bernard. I think though that the more pertinent parts comes toward the end when he speaks about life as an ocean, etc. with Mary as a beacon, as you said.

 

[rwoehmke]

The hymn “Mother Dear O Pray for Me” has a line that goes “Mother Dear O pray for me while far from heaven and thee, I wander in a fragile barque o’er life’s tempestous sea.” So Mary is our guiding star for our voyage over the “sea” of life. A metaphor from the use of stars by sailors in navigating the worlds oceans and seas.

 

[catharina]

Brief and not fully adequate quote from catholicculture site:

“Ave Maris Stella (Hail Star of the Sea)
This evening prayer for Solemnities of Our Lady is attributed to Venantius Fortunatus (530-609). St. Bernard explains that the name Mary “is said to mean ‘star of the sea’ . . . Indeed, most aptly is she compared to a star; for as a star sheds its beams without decay on its part, so the Virgin brought forth her Son without any damage to her virginity” (Roman Breviary, Lesson IV, Sept. 12).”

It’s one of a small group of ‘Mary Hymns’ used seasonally in the Divine Office (“season” being calendar of Church, not secular).

 

[Joab_Anias]

What is the significance of the title Stella Maris?

Mary is the patron of Sailors.

At a time when mariners guided their ships by the stars, Mary was seen as a clear guiding light for all Christians on their journey through the sea of life, and the title has been retained by the Church for its rich symbolic meaning.

Peace.

(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)

 

[bpbasilphx]

A mistaken etymology of the name “Maria” took it from the word “Mare” meaning sea.

Then there’s also the legend that a pearl was formed when lightning struck a virgin oyster.

 

[tavilaforsal]

What is the significance of the title Stella Maris?

Thank you for your help! I will be giving a small reflection on Mary, Star of the Sea and your
explanation is very helpful. God bless you!

 

[Thomas_Casey]

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