MIRACULOUS MIRACLES™

Prayer — Marian Prayers

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Ave Maris Stella

Hail, Star of the Sea

8th–9th century; first attested in the Codex Sangallensis 95 (St. Gall, c. 825)

The medieval Marian Vespers hymn that gives Mary the title Stella Maris — the star by which sailors set their course across the night sea.

The Prayer · Multiple Versions
Latin · Original
Ave, maris stella,
Dei Mater alma,
atque semper Virgo,
felix caeli porta.

Sumens illud Ave
Gabrielis ore,
funda nos in pace,
mutans Hevae 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.
English
Hail, O Star of the 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,
offer Him our sighs,
who for us Incarnate
did not thee despise.

Virgin of all virgins,
to thy shelter take us,
gentlest of the gentle,
chaste and gentle make us.

Still, as on we journey,
help our weak endeavour,
till with thee and Jesus
we rejoice forever.

Through the highest heaven
to the Almighty Three,
Father, Son, and Spirit,
one same glory be. Amen.
When the Prayer is Said

Vespers of Marian feasts and of the Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Liturgy of the Hours; sailor's prayer; navigation under Marian protection.

History & Background

The Ave Maris Stella is one of the most ancient Marian hymns in the Latin tradition, first attested in the Codex Sangallensis 95 at the abbey of St. Gall around 825 AD. Its authorship has been variously attributed to Bernard of Clairvaux, Venantius Fortunatus, and Paul the Deacon — none of which the modern scholarly consensus accepts; the actual author remains anonymous, likely a Carolingian-period monastic of the early 9th century.

The title Stella Maris ('Star of the Sea') — applied to the Virgin Mary — became one of the most beloved medieval Marian titles, particularly among Mediterranean and Atlantic sailors, who took the Virgin as the navigational star by which to keep their bearing in the night sea.

The hymn is sung at Vespers of all Marian feasts in the traditional Roman Office and remains in current liturgical use. The medieval Gregorian melody (Mode I) is widely recorded.

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