Ave Maris Stella is a popular liturgical hymn of unknown origin. It can be dated back to at least the 9th century for it is preserved in the Codex Sangallensis, a 9th century manuscript now in the Swiss Monastery of St. Gallen. Its appearance in the Codex points to a composition in possibly the 8th century. The hymn is frequently attributed to St. Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153) and sometimes has been attributed to King Robert (1031), both of whom are too late to have authored it. It has also been attributed to Venantius Fortunatus (d 609) and Paul the Deacon (d 787). It is found in ancient codices of the Divine Office for Vespers on Marian feasts. Today it is still in use in the Divine Office and in the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin.
| AVE maris stella, Dei Mater alma, atque semper Virgo, felix caeli porta. | HAIL, O Star of the ocean, God's own Mother blest, ever sinless Virgin, gate of heav'nly rest. |
| Sumens illud Ave Gabrielis ore, funda nos in pace, mutans Hevae nomen. | Taking that sweet Ave, which from Gabriel came, peace confirm within us, changing Eve's name. |
| Solve vincula reis, profer lumen caecis mala nostra pelle, bona cuncta posce. | Break the sinners' fetters, make our blindness day, Chase all evils from us, for all blessings pray. |
| Monstra te esse matrem: sumat per te preces, qui pro nobis natus, tulit esse tuus. | Show thyself a Mother, may the Word divine born for us thine Infant hear our prayers through thine. |
| Virgo singularis, inter omnes mites, nos culpis solutos, mites fac et castos. | Virgin all excelling, mildest of the mild, free from guilt preserve us meek and undefiled. |
| Vitam praesta puram, iter para tutum: ut videntes Iesum semper collaetemur. | Keep our life all spotless, make our way secure till we find in Jesus, joy for evermore. |
| Sit laus Deo Patri, summo Christo decus, Spiritui Sancto, tribus honor unus. Amen. | Praise to God the Father, honor to the Son, in the Holy Spirit, be the glory one. Amen. |
