The great hymn of guidance for anyone navigating rough water.
The Vespers hymn for feasts of Our Lady, built on the image of a star steady enough to steer by.
When: On Marian feasts, on Saturdays, and any evening when the way ahead is unclear.
Why: It asks for a safe journey, loosed chains, light for the blind, and a calm road home. It is a prayer for people still in motion.
Hail, star of the sea, loving Mother of God, and ever Virgin, happy gate of heaven.
Receiving that Ave from the mouth of Gabriel, establish us in peace, changing the name of Eve.
Loosen the chains of the guilty, send forth light to the blind, drive away our evils, and ask for us all good things.
Show yourself a Mother, and may he who was born for us accept our prayers through you.
O singular Virgin, meek above all others, make us, freed from our sins, meek and chaste.
Grant us a pure life, prepare a safe way, that seeing Jesus we may rejoice together for ever.
Praise be to God the Father, glory to Christ on high, and to the Holy Spirit, one honor to the Three. Amen.