Reflection on the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception - Ave Maris Stella

Our hymns and music are a part of our tradition and heritage of the Church.  I wrote one of my major papers in seminary on Ave Maris Stella,  which in English mean, “Hail, star of the sea.”  Ave Maris Stella is a popular medieval hymn honoring Mary. This hymn has been traditionally sung at vespers, the evening prayers of the liturgy of the hours of the Church.  This hymn was very popular in the Middle Ages.  Though its authorship has been assigned to different theologians, including St Bernard of Clairvaux from the 11th century, it was probably written as early as the 9th century.  The hymn mentions Gabriel’s greeting to her, which is the Gospel reading we hear today on the Immaculate Conception.  Below is a link to a Youtube video for a modern English setting of Ave Maris Stella.  You can find many different Latin and other traditional versions of this hymn as well on Youtube.  I thought that this song would be a very fitting way to honor Mary today on the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception.  

Blessings to all of you - Father Lincoln.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PT-5HpDQ34Q

Reflection on the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception - Ave Maris Stella

Our hymns and music are a part of our tradition and heritage of the Church.  I wrote one of my major papers in seminary on Ave Maris Stella,  which in English mean, “Hail, star of the sea.”  Ave Maris Stella is a popular medieval hymn honoring Mary. This hymn has been traditionally sung at vespers, the evening prayers of the liturgy of the hours of the Church.  This hymn was very popular in the Middle Ages.  Though its authorship has been assigned to different theologians, including St Bernard of Clairvaux from the 11th century, it was probably written as early as the 9th century.  The hymn mentions Gabriel’s greeting to her, which is the Gospel reading we hear today on the Immaculate Conception.  Below is a link to a Youtube video for a modern English setting of Ave Maris Stella.  You can find many different Latin and other traditional versions of this hymn as well on Youtube.  I thought that this song would be a very fitting way to honor Mary today on the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception.  

Blessings to all of you - Father Lincoln.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PT-5HpDQ34Q

IN LATIN:

Ave, maris stella,

Dei mater alma,

atque semper virgo,

felix cœli porta.

Sumens illud «Ave»

Gabrielis ore,

funda nos in pace,

mutans Evæ nomen.

Solve vincla reis,

profer lumen cæcis,

mala nostra pelle,

bona cuncta posce.

Monstra te esse matrem,

sumat per te precem 

qui pro nobis natus

tulit esse tuus.

Virgo singularis,

inter omnes mitis,

nos culpis solutos

mites fac et castos.

Vitam præsta puram,

iter para tutum,

ut videntes Jesum

semper collætemur.

Sit laus Deo Patri,

summo Christo decus,

Spiritui Sancto

tribus honor unus. Amen.

IN ENGLISH:

Hail, star of the sea,

Nurturing Mother of God,

And ever Virgin

Happy gate of Heaven

Receiving that "Ave" 

From the mouth of Gabriel,

Establish us in peace,

Transforming the name of Eve. 

Loosen the chains of the guilty,

Send forth light to the blind,

Our evil do thou dispel,

Entreat for us all good things.

Show thyself to be a Mother:

Through thee may he receive prayer

Who, being born for us,

Undertook to be thine own.

O unique Virgin,

Meek above all others,

Make us, set free from our sins,

Meek and chaste.

Bestow a pure life,

Prepare a safe way:

That seeing Jesus,

We may ever rejoice.

Praise be to God the Father,

To the Most High Christ be glory,

To the Holy Spirit be  honor,

to the Three equally. Amen.