Holy Name of Mary - Our Lady Star of the Sea

According the Catholic Encyclopedia, “We venerate the name of Mary because it belongs to her who is the Mother of God, the holiest of creatures, the Queen of heaven and earth, the Mother of Mercy. The object of the feast is the Holy Virgin bearing the name of Mirjam (Mary); the feast commemorates all the privileges given to Mary by God and all the graces we have received through her intercession and mediation.

The feast of the Most Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary originated in Spain and was approved in 1513.  In 1683, Pope Innocent XI extended the celebration of the feast day to the universal Church to be celebrated September 12. While the feast day was removed from the universal calendar following 1970 Missal revisions, Pope John Paul reinstituted the feast day, as an “optional memorial” in 2003. 

Our lady is known by many names. Some are place names associated with her or with apparitions. Others are based on her intercession for particular needs. Many evoke images of her leading us to her Son so are symbolic. On this official day which we recognize the holy name of Mary, it is a good time to think of the many names by which she is known and which hold special significance for devotion. Learn a new name. Find out why she is referred to by that name.

One name that I particularly love is Our Lady Star of the Sea, or Stella Maris. Listed here are some of the quotes related to the name and on the origin of this title in reference to the Blessed Mother.

The Hebrew name Miryam, meaning drop of the sea, was translated by St. Jerome into Stilla Maris, but at some later stage a copyist transcribed this into Stella Maris - star of the sea, and this transcription error became widespread.

Paschasius Radbertus in the ninth century wrote of Mary, Star of the Sea, as a guide to be followed on the way to Christ "lest we capsize amid the storm-tossed waves of the sea." At this time too the plainsong hymn "Ave Maris Stella" ("Hail, Star of the Sea"), became increasingly popular.

St. Bernard of Clairvaux wrote: "If the winds of temptation arise; If you are driven upon the rocks of tribulation look to the star, call on Mary; If you are tossed upon the waves of pride, of ambition, of envy, of rivalry, look to the star, call on Mary. Should anger, or avarice, or fleshly desire violently assail the frail vessel of your soul, look at the star, call upon Mary."

Pope Pius XII in his encyclical, Doctor Mellifluus, also quoted Bernard of Clairvaux in saying; Mary ... is interpreted to mean 'Star of the Sea.' This admirably befits the Virgin Mother.. (for) 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.

I saw this candy mold online last year thought it would be perfect for something Stella Maris themed for this feast day. It could be used for a variety of sea star treats - like chocolate, candy melts, fudge.  I adapted a favorite peanut butter ball recipe and instead of rolling it into balls, pressed it into the mold.

Sea Star Bites for Our Lady Star of the Sea 

Ingredients:

• 1 cup quick oats
• 1/2 cup natural peanut butter (or other nut butter)
• 2 Tbsp wheat germ
• ⅓ cup raw honey
• 1 Tbsp coconut oil
• 1/2 tsp vanilla

Directions:

If your molds are small it is a good idea to grind the oats into smaller pieces. In a mixing bowl, mix oats, peanut butter, wheat germ, honey, coconut oil, and vanilla. Make sure it is mixed well.  Press into molds.

Chill the mixture in the fridge for an hour or freezer for 10-15 minutes so that they bind together and can be extracted from the molds more easily.  Serve on plate with sprinkle of crushed graham cracker sand (optional).

Our Lady, Star of the Sea, Pray for Us!