Some thoughts on the Star of Bethlehem

Author: Liz Gormley

Ave Maris Stella

Hail, Star of the sea! Blessed Mother of God, yet ever a virgin! O happy gate of heaven!

Thou that didst receive the Ave from Gabriel's lips, confirm us in peace, and so let Eva be changed into an Ave of blessing for us.

Loose the sinner's chains, bring light to the blind, drive from us our evils, and ask all good things for us.

Show thyself a mother, and offer our prayers to him, who would be born of thee, when born for us.

O incomparable Virgin, and meekest Or the meek, obtain us the forgiveness of our sins, and make us meek and chaste.

Obtain us purity of life, and a safe pilgrimage; that we may be united with thee in the blissful vision of Jesus.

Praise be to God the Father and to the Lord Jesus, and to the Holy Ghost: to the Three one self-same praise.

Amen.

V. Hail Mary, full of grace, alleluia.

R. The Lord is with thee, alleluia.

Ave, maris stella, Dei Mater alma, Atque semper virgo, Felix coeli porta.

Sumens illud Ave Gabrielis ore, Funda nos in pace, Mutans Evae nomen.

Solve vinyl 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 pare tutum; Ut videntes Jesum, Semper collaetemur.

Sit laus Deo Patri, Summo Christo decus, Spiritui Sancto, Tribus honor unus. Amen.

V. Ave Maria, gratia plena, alleluia.

R. Dominus tecum, alleluia.