Marian
Ave Maris Stella (Hail, O Star of the Ocean)
Marian prayer · Latin text
The Vespers hymn of the Blessed Virgin Mary, preserved in a ninth-century manuscript of St Gall and still sung at Vespers on Marian feasts and in the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin. The Latin is that of the Liturgia Horarum; the English is the traditional Breviary rendering.
Hail, O Star of the ocean, God's own Mother blest, ever sinless Virgin, gate of heav'nly rest. Taking that sweet Ave, which from Gabriel came, peace confirm within us, changing Eve's name. Break the sinners' fetters, make our blindness day, Chase all evils from us, for all blessings pray. Show thyself a Mother, may the Word divine born for us thine Infant hear our prayers through thine. Virgin all excelling, mildest of the mild, free from guilt preserve us meek and undefiled. Keep our life all spotless, make our way secure till we find in Jesus, joy for evermore. Praise to God the Father, honor to the Son, in the Holy Spirit, be the glory one. Amen.
When it is prayed
- vespers-of-mary
- marian-feasts
- office