WHY STELLA MARIS?
“She, I say, is that shining and brilliant star, so much needed, set in place above life’s great and spacious sea, glittering with merits, all aglow with examples for our imitation.”
~ St. Bernard of Clairvaux
Just as Mariners of old would use the stars, and especially Polaris, the North Star, to navigate on their journeys, so the Church has given to Our Lady the title of “Stella Maris” to show her role as guide on our journey to Eternity. Polaris was also given the name Stella Maris and it is often thought that the Star of Bethlehem and Polaris were the same.
The Saints illuminate this meaning for us, “Mary…is interpreted to mean ‘Star of the Sea.’ This admirably befits the Virgin Mother…as the ray does not diminish the brightness of the star, so neither did the Child born of her tarnish the beauty of Mary’s virginity,” St. Bernard tells us. This allegory is perfect as Mary leads us to Christ and He is our everything.
We are human and rely on tangible symbols to teach us eternal truths. It is my hope that these collections may serve as little “rays” coming from the great Star, who is Mary, to illuminate, inspire, and elevate us on our journey Home. As beauty is a reflection of the eternal Truth and Goodness towards Whom we tend, may these pieces serve to lead us to that Goal.
Ave Maris Stella!
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Lauren