Ave Maris Stella
A secular hymn - even centuries old - whose author is not known (Venance Fortunat in the 6th century or Paul Deacon in the 8th century), but it is venerable by the liturgical use made of it for Vespers of the Blessed Virgin.
The hymn is composed of seven stanzas of 24 small light syllables mixing litanic invocations with familiar supplications.
This designation STELLA MARIS, ETOILE DES MERS has been attributed to the Virgin Mary since the first centuries of Christendom.
Star: who guides on the waves of life.
Star: hope of Christians and men who have placed their trust in God.
The hymn is still sung today. The poem appears in the divine Office (or liturgy of the hours, prayed seven times a day, which sanctifies the day and the night) and in the small office of the Blessed Virgin (specific to certain religious communities, today replaced among the faithful by the daily prayer of the rosary). It is also found at vespers during the feasts of the Virgin Mary.
