Ave maris stella

This setting of the famous Marian antiphon Ave maris stella is ideal for services during the liturgical year, particularly those honouring the Virgin Mary. Ginés Pérez de la Parra sets the familiar Latin text for SATB choir. The words are a prayer to Mary, Mother of God and Ever Virgin, the gate of heaven. The choir will invoke her as the one who received Gabriel’s greeting, asking her to grant peace and change the name of Eve to our salvation. The text continues by asking her to free the guilty from their chains, bring light to the blind, and drive away all evil, while also obtaining all good things. The singers will ask her to show herself as a mother, that she may present our prayers to her Son. The hymn concludes with a plea for purity of life and a safe journey, so that seeing Jesus, we may forever rejoice, with praise and glory to God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.