Hajja Salesjana - Oct-Dec 2021

H AJJA S ALESJANA 16 Stella Maris, lead us forward through the present storm... Mary has been invoked for centuries under the title: Stella Maris (Star of the Sea). She is the “calmer of storms” and even if we aren’t sailors, we know all about storms in our own lives. Lately there have been plenty! St. Bernard of Clairvaux (d. 1153) wrote of her: “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.” There are many hymns and prayers to Our Lady under this title but the most famous is a hymn that dates back to the 9th century (Ave Maris Stella). Let us ask Mary to calm the storms in our lives and to bring us safely home. 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. Julia Darrenkamp Picture: Mary, Star of the Sea by @artbytispark