Hail, Star of the Sea
Ave maris stella is an ancient Latin hymn to the Blessed Virgin Mary, known from medieval manuscripts and traditionally sung at Vespers on Marian feasts. Its author is unknown. This English version is the public-domain translation by Edward Caswall, a nineteenth-century Anglican convert who became a Catholic priest and joined Saint John Henry Newman’s Oratory. The hymn greets Mary as the Star of the Sea and asks her maternal intercession for peace, purity, perseverance, and safe passage to Christ. Catholics may pray or sing it on feasts of Our Lady and whenever they seek Mary’s guidance.
In Latin
Ave, maris stella, Dei Mater alma, atque semper Virgo, felix caeli porta. Sumens illud Ave Gabrielis ore, funda nos in pace, mutans Evae nomen. Solve vincla reis, profer lumen caecis, mala nostra pelle, bona cuncta posce. Monstra te esse matrem, sumat per te preces, qui pro nobis natus tulit esse tuus. Virgo singularis, inter omnes mitis, nos culpis solutos, mites fac et castos. Vitam praesta puram, iter para tutum, ut videntes Iesum semper collaetemur. Sit laus Deo Patri, summo Christo decus, Spiritui Sancto, tribus honor unus. Amen.
When to pray it: Pray or sing this hymn at Vespers, on Marian feasts, or when asking Our Lady for guidance and protection.