St. Bernard of Clairvaux wrote many moving sermons, none more moving than his sermons on the Blessed Virgin Mary. Here is an excerpt from one such sermon, in which "the last of the Fathers", as he is known, considers the name of the Virgin Mary:
"Let us say a few words about her name, which arises from 'star of the sea' [Latin: maris stella] -- a name very fitting to the Virgin Mother. She is very aptly compared to a star, for just as a star without corruption to itself radiates its light, so the Virgin bore her Son without injury to her body. The star's rays do not lessen its brightness, nor did the Son damage the Virgin's integrity. This is that noble Star that arose from Jacob [cf. Numbers 24, 17] whose rays illuminate the whole world, whose splendor pours forth its light to the heavens and penetrates the depths. This Star brightly illumines lands and warms souls more than bodies. It shines upon virtues and perfects vices. This is the precious and excellent Star which is raised up over the great and wide 'sea' of our necessity, shining with its merits, enlightening with its examples. Whosoever you are, you know that you are driven about in the flood of this world, among its tempests and storms, more than you walk on the land. Do not take your eyes from the brightness of this Star unless you wish to be overwhelmed by the storms. If the winds of temptation rise up against you, if you come upon the crags of tribulations, look upon the Star and call upon Mary. If anger, greed, or the desires of the flesh beat upon the 'boat' of your soul, look to Mary. If disturbed by the proximity of sin, confused by foulness of conscience, terrified by the horror of the Judgment, anxious that you may fall into the abyss of misery and the pit of despair, know Mary. If you are in peril, anguish, or doubt, know Mary; call upon Mary. Do not cease to beseech her aid with your word or your heart. Do not depart from the example of her conduct."
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