Our Lady, Star Of The Sea

Our Lady, Star of the Sea is an ancient title for Mary, the mother of Jesus. The words ''Star of the Sea'' are a translation of the Latin title .

The title has been in use since at least the early medieval period. Purportedly arising from a scribal error in a supposed etymology of the name ''Mary'', it came to be seen as allegorical of Mary's role as "guiding star" on the way to Christ. Under this name, the Virgin Mary is believed to intercede as a guide and protector of seafarers in particular. Many coastal churches are named or Star of the Sea.

Etymology and history

The name ''Stella Maris'' is first applied to the Virgin Mary in the ''Liber de Nominibus Hebraicis'', a translation by Saint Jerome of a work by Philo, but this is apparently a misnomer based on a transcription error.
The Hebrew name (originally pronounced "Maryam") was rendered in Greek as ''Mariam'' (). In most manuscripts of Jerome's work, one of the interpretations offered is as "stella maris", star of the sea. But this was probably originally ''stilla'' , meaning "drop of the sea" (as written in one manuscript), based on ''mar'', a rare biblical word for "drop", and ''yam'' "sea". It seems that at some later stage a copyist transcribed this as , "star of the sea", and this transcription error became widespread.

Another opinion states that Jerome himself interpreted the name as meaning "star of the sea" or Stella Maris, by relating it to a Hebrew word for star, (ma'or), from the verb ('or), to be light or shine.

The etymologization of the name of Mary as "star of the sea" was widespread by the early medieval period. It is referenced in Isidore's ''Etymologiae'' (7th century). The plainsong hymn ("Hail, Star of the Sea") dates from about the 8th century. Paschasius Radbertus in the 9th century has an allegorical explanation of the name, writing that Mary is the "Star of the Sea" to be followed on the way to Christ, "lest we capsize amid the storm-tossed waves of the sea."

In the medieval period, came to be used as a name of Polaris in its role as lodestar (guiding star, north star); it may have been used as such since Late Antiquity, as it is referred to as "always visible" by Stobaeus in the 5th century, even though it was still some eight degrees removed from the celestial pole at that time.

In the twelfth century, Saint Bernard of Clairvaux wrote: "If the winds of temptation arise; if you are driven upon the rocks of tribulation look to the star, call on Mary. If you are tossed upon the waves of pride, of ambition, of envy, of rivalry, look to the star, call on Mary. Should anger, or avarice, or fleshly desire violently assail the frail vessel of your soul, look at the star, call upon Mary." Pope Pius XII, in his encyclical , also quoted Bernard of Clairvaux in saying: "Mary... is interpreted to mean 'Star of the Sea'. This admirably befits the Virgin Mother... (for) as the ray does not diminish the brightness of the star, so neither did the Child born of her tarnish the beauty of Mary's virginity."

Anthony of Padua also wrote of Mary as Star of the Sea.

''Stella maris'' was occasionally also used in reference to Christ. Robert Bellarmine (writing ) deprecated this use of the title, preferring the allegory of Christ as the morning star as the "brightest star of all", classing the less-bright polar star as "paltry" ().

Devotional application

The idea of Mary as a guiding star for seafarers has led to devotion to Our Lady, Star of the Sea in many Catholic coastal and fishing communities. Numerous churches, schools and colleges are dedicated to ", Our Lady Star of the Sea", or "Mary, Star of the Sea".

Stella Maris Monastery, the foundation house of the Carmelite order, was established on Mount Carmel in Haifa in the early thirteenth century. The abbey was destroyed several times, but a refounded monastery is still considered the headquarters of the order.

Devotions to this title of Mary are found in the popular Catholic hymn, '' Hail Queen of Heaven, the Ocean Star'' and the ancient prayer . The widely sung "Sicilian Mariners Hymn", , also reflects this devotion, as do Tamil hymns.

Patronage

Our Lady, Star of the Sea is the patroness of the Netherlands, as well as the American state of Hawaii. The Roman Catholic Church commemorates Our Lady, Star of the Sea on 27 September.

Seafarers

The Apostleship of the Sea (AOS) is often known locally as , whom seafarers recognise for providing pastoral, practical and spiritual support via their port chaplains and ship visitors in ports around the world. Our Lady Star of the Sea is the patron of the AOS.

The Apostleship of the Sea has for many years now, been commemorating the Feast of , Our Lady, Star of the Sea, with Mass each year in September for seafarers. It is a day to pray for all seafarers and give thanks for their contribution to global trade. At a gathering during the Mass in Westminster Cathedral in 2016, Archbishop of Westminster Cardinal Vincent Nichols said, "Caring for seafarers is a profoundly Christian thing to do."

In the Philippines' historic Battles of La Naval de Manila, many believed that Mary's intercession caused the victory.

Gallery

File:Workshop of Filippo Lippi - Madonna and Child - Walters 37429.jpg, The star on Mary's robe alludes to her epithet of .
File:Goleen Church of Our Lady, Star of the Sea, and St. Patrick South Wall Fourth Window Star of the Sea Detail 2009 09 10.jpg, Our Lady, Star of the Sea, Goleen Church of Our Lady, Ireland
File:Hagiosoritissa Santa Maria in Via Lata (Rome).png, Early Medieval Stella Maris icon at the Santa Maria in Via Lata basilica, Rome
File:Faro Stella Maris CDU.jpg, Lighthouse on the Uruguay River near the town of Concepción del Uruguay in Argentina

See also

* Apostleship of the Sea
* Star of the Sea Church (disambiguation)
* Miriam (given name)

Notes

References

{{Authority control

Titles of Mary, mother of Jesus

pt:Stella Maris