Ave maris stella
General information
Hymn to the Virgin Mary (8th cent., author anon.)
Liturgical use: Hymn at Vespers on feasts of the Virgin Mary.
Mary's title of stella maris was first proposed by St. Jerome, in his treatise Liber de nominibus hebraicis (probably around AD 390), in which he explains the etymology of Hebrew names. He quotes unidentified sources as explaining the name of Mary as smyrna maris, literally bitterness of the sea. The Hebrew word miriam indeed refers to bitterness - it is explained as such in the anonymous Jewish account The life of Moses. St. Jerome dismisses the 'bitter' etymology, however, and proposes to change her title to stella maris. In order to justify his proposal, he quotes Syrus, most likely his contemporary St. Ephraem Syrus, who had insisted on Mary's status as domina or mistress.
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Original text and translations
Latin text
Sumens illud Ave Solve vincla reis, Monstra te esse matrem, Virgo singularis, Vitam praesta puram, Sit laus Deo Patri, |
English translation by Allen H Simon Hail, star of the sea, Receiving that Ave Break the chains of sinners, Show yourself to be a mother, O unique virgin, Keep life pure, Let there be praise to God the Father, |
German translation
Die du das Ave empfängst Löse aus Banden die Sünder, Erzeige dich als Mutter, Jungfrau, auserkoren, Gib ein reines Leben, Lob sei Gott, dem Vater, |
French translation
Recevant cet Ave Rompez les liens des pécheurs, Montrez-vous mère, Vierge unique, Accordez-nous une vie innocente, Louange à Dieu le Père, |