question on a marian prayer

[tom25]

I am not sure who to ask this to, but can someone please explain the point and origin of the prayer/hymn, Ave Maris Stella?

[losh14]

"Hail, Star of the Sea"? I've not heard of it but Marian devotion often has arisen from folk spirituality, and later becomes standardized and instituted. While the Rosary was, by legend, given to Bernard of Clairvaux by an apparition of the Blessed Virgin herself, it's not the earliest mention of the meditation nor of the use of prayer beads in such a devotion. The Rosary in some form probably dates to pre-Nicean days, one legend holding that prayers were counted on rocks picked up on the way to the days' work and held in a pocket or purse, dropped as each prayer was recited.

I'd think it would arise as early as the 5th through 9th centuries, perhaps first written down by one of the Marian saints. Montfort most likely has mention of it though that wouldn't tell you how old it is.

[marty1818]

Originally Posted by losh14

"While the Rosary was, by legend, given to Bernard of Clairvaux by an apparition of the Blessed Virgin herself

St. Dominic, not St. Bernard.

[losh14]

Originally Posted by marty1818

St. Dominic, not St. Bernard.

I've confused my saints ... didn't Bernard also receive an apparition?

[TimothyH]

Originally Posted by losh14

Marian devotion often has arisen from folk spirituality, and later becomes standardized and instituted.

The Kings of the Old Testament appointed their mother's to be the Queen of their Kingdoms. So it is with Jesus our King, and Mary his mother.

Devoition to a Queen is not institutionalized folk spirituality but recorded in the Bible and fulfilled in its entirety by Christ and his mother the Queen.

The "Mother of the King" is mentioned at least thirty times in the Old Testament. Something mentioned thirty times in the Bible is hardly folk spirituality. When God mentions something thirty times, it is not folk spirituality.

-Tim-

[losh14]

Originally Posted by TimothyH

The Kings of the Old Testament appointed their mother's to be the Queen of their Kingdoms. So it is with Jesus our King, and Mary his mother.

I understand this would lead to devotions like Regina Coeli but a multitude of devotions have nothing to do with Mary as Queen Mother:
* Our Lady of the Snows
* Our Lady of Sorrows
* Mary, Star of the Sea
* Immaculate Heart of Mary
* Mary, Untier of Knots

Originally Posted by TimothyH

The "Mother of the King" is mentioned at least thirty times in the Old Testament. Something mentioned thirty times in the Bible is hardly folk spirituality. When God mentions something thirty times, it is not folk spirituality.

And the response is senses fidelium - the sense of the faithful to adopt truth. Or, folk spirituality.