Parish History
STAR OF THE SEA
"O whoever you are who, in the sea of this world, feel yourself rather tossed about between storms and tempests than walking on the earth, do not look away from the bright ness of this Star if you do not want to be submerged by the waves.
"If the winds of temptation blow, if you stumble against the reefs of tribulations, look at the Star, call Mary. If you are agitated by waves of pride, of ambition, of murmuring, of envy, look at the Star, call Mary. If anger or avarice or seduction of the flesh agitates the fragile ship of the soul, look at the Star, call Mary. If disturbed by the enormity of crimes, confused by the guilt of soul, terrified by the severity of the judgment, you feel yourself pulled into the vortex of melancholy, into the abyss of despair, think of Mary.
"In dangers, in troubles, in doubts think of Mary, call Mary. Let her not depart from your bps, let her not depart from your heart; and to obtain the help of her prayers, do not lose sight of the examples of her life. Following her you do not go astray; by praying to her you do not despair; thinking of her you do not err. If she upholds you, you do not fall; if she protects you, you have nothing to fear; if she accompanies you, you do not tire; if she is propitious to you, you will arrive at the goal and thus experience, in yourself, how rightly it was said: 'and the virgin's name was Mary.'"
St. Bernard
(There has been considerable speculation regarding the origins of the name Saint Mary Star of the Sea. It now seems likely that it comes from the prayer by St. Bernard, particularly in light of the fact that the Church's founder, Father B. O'R. Sheridan, had the first name of Bernard.)
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