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Purportedly arising from a scribal error in a supposed etymology of the name Mary, it came to be seen as allegorical of Mary's role as "guiding star" on the way to Christ. Under this name, the Virgin Mary is believed to intercede as a guide and protector of seafarers in particular.
Oct 1, 2021 · Mary has been called “Star of the Sea” since St. Jerome in the fifth century, though there was likely a transcription problem: St. Jerome called her “stilla maris,” drop of the sea, but the change of an “i” to an “e” turned it into “stella maris,” star of the sea.
May 5, 2014 · Since Jerome, Mary, Star of the Sea has been a beloved title of Mary, especially among her many children who live and make their livelihoods by the sea. For a beautiful reflection on this special title of Mary please see Sarah Reinhard’s article on the subject for Catholic Exchange.
Our Lady—the Mother of the Church—is Her constant guiding Star. Our Lady seems to particularly resemble the North Star, Polaris, which is the only star in the Northern Hemisphere that doesn’t move.
Mary as a star, giving guidance to sailors on a stormy ocean, became a popular metaphor for the help she gave to mankind on earth. The great fourteenth-century Italian poet Petrarch, wrote a powerful lyric on the subject: Bright virgin, steadfast in eternity / Star of this storm-tossed sea, / Trusted guide of every trustful pilot, /
Aug 19, 2024 · What does Our Lady Star of the Sea mean? This title arose by God’s Providence in a unique way. St. Jerome translated Mary’s Hebrew name Miryam (drop of the sea) to Stilla Maris in Latin. For Catholic peasants, Stilla was read as Stella (star), and so Mary became Star of the Sea.
The fact is, one reason that we are right to call Mary our "Mother of Mercy" is that during her sojourn on earth, she performed a tremendous work of mercy for us all: She showed us the way to be true disciples of Jesus Christ. As St. Faustina wrote, "Mary is my Instructress, who is ever teaching me how to live for God.
