August 15, Our Lady of the Assumption

Today is the Feast of the Assumption of Mary. It is a significant day for people of Acadian heritage in that Our Lady of the Assumption is our patroness. You'll find a gold star in a white background on the Acadiana flag representing her. And in New Brunswick today, large celebrations of National Acadian Day are occurring. At 5:55 PM this afternoon, 17:55 on the military clock, everyone goes out to make a lot of noise. This is in remembrance of the year of the Acadian deportation.

For more information on events there, click here.

Mary, Star of the Sea is also dear to folks who live in the Maritime provinces of Canada and people of Acadian descent. Here are the words to that ancient hymn that dates back to at least the 9th century. First, in English then in Latin.

Ave Maris Stella

Hail, Star of the sea! Blessed Mother of God, yet ever a virgin! O happy gate of heaven!

Thou that didst receive the Ave from Gabriel's lips, confirm us in peace, and so let Eva be changed into an Ave of blessing for us.

Loose the sinner's chains, bring light to the blind, drive from us our evils, and ask all good things for us.

Show thyself a mother, and offer our prayers to him, who would be born of thee, when born for us.

O incomparable Virgin, and meekest Or the meek, obtain us the forgiveness of our sins, and make us meek and chaste.

Obtain us purity of life, and a safe pilgrimage; that we may be united with thee in the blissful vision of Jesus.

Praise be to God the Father and to the Lord Jesus, and to the Holy Ghost: to the Three one self-same praise.

Ave, maris stella,
Dei Mater alma,
Atque semper virgo,
Felix coeli porta.

Sumens illud Ave Gabrielis ore,
Funda nos in pace,
Mutans Evae nomen.

Solve vinyl reis,
Profer lumen caecis,
Mala nostra pelle,
Bona cuncta posce.

Monstra te esse matrem, Sumat per te preces,
Qui pro nobis natus,
Tulit esse tuus.

Virgo singularis,
Inter omnes mitis,
Nos culpis solutos
Mites fac et castos.

Vitam praesta puram,
Iter pare tutum;
Ut videntes Jesum, Semper collaetemur.

Sit laus Deo Patri,
Summo Christo decus, Spiritui Sancto,
Tribus honor unus.