“Ave Maris Stella”:
A Hymn for Life’s Journey
“Ave Maris Stella” (“Hail, Star of the Sea”) is a beloved vespers hymn and prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Dating back as early as the 9th century, the original Latin text endured for more than a millennium, though its author remains unknown. The hymn, long considered a prayer for travelers, invokes Mary for her guidance and protection for a safe journey.
The version here was composed in the 1950s by Sister Marie Cecile (Fitzgerald), CSC, and recorded by the Congregation’s choir in the 1990s. For more than 75 years, the Sisters of the Holy Cross have sung this arrangement as a community prayer to Mary whenever a fellow sister embarks on a journey.
Traditionally, the community sang the “Ave Maris Stella” for a sister as she processed into the Church of Our Lady of Loretto for her perpetual profession—the ultimate voyage of faith and the beginning of her journey as a vowed Sister of the Holy Cross. The community again sings the hymn as she departs for mission, sending her forth with Mary’s guidance and protection.
“Ave Maris Stella” is prayerfully bestowed upon a sister over her lifetime: as she travels, changes ministries and ventures forward in a life of faith. Also, at each of the Congregation’s general chapters, sister delegates sing the hymn on the opening day of their momentous gathering. Together, they praise Mary and ask for her guidance as they discern the priorities and focus for their community.
The prayer to Mary is finally sung on a sister’s last journey, that of her ultimate calling to God. Gathered around their departed sister during her funeral, the community sings the iconic song for her one final time.
We hope you enjoy this “Ave Maris Stella” video, which brings to life the legacy of the song and its enduring significance to the Sisters of the Holy Cross. We invite you to use it in prayer for yourself or those embarking on journeys. Be they journeys of faith, travels near and far, or any new chapter beginning in your life, we encourage you to pray to Mary.
Translation of “Ave Maris Stella”
a poetic English version
Hail, bright star of 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, May the Word Divine, Born for us thy infant, Hear our prayers through thine.
Virgin all excelling, Mildest of the mild, Freed from guilt, Preserve us, pure and undefiled.
Keep our life all spotless, Make our way secure, Until we find in Jesus, Joy forevermore.
Through the highest heaven to the almighty three, Father, Son and Spirit, One same glory be.
Amen.
Sister Marie Cecile (Fitzgerald), CSC (1885–1977)
Sister Marie Cecile (Fitzgerald), CSC, earned her doctorate from the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music in 1924 and later pursued postdoctoral studies at the Gregorian Institute of America. An accomplished organist and prolific composer, she published and copyrighted her musical works under the pseudonym “Gerald Rean.”
For 55 years, Sister Marie Cecile shared her passion for music with generations of students in the Saint Mary’s College Music Department. Following her retirement in 1964, she remained active in her lifelong ministry as the organist at the Church of Loretto.
Guided by her belief that “singing is praying twice,” Sister Marie Cecile saw music as both an art and an expression of faith. Her legacy lives on through the music she composed and the many lives she touched.
