How did I not know this?
While wandering around the coast of Argentina I saw several buildings with the name Stella Maris. Earlier in the year in Miramar I saw a couple of apartment buildings with that name, Stella Maris I and Stella Maris II. In Claromecó I saw more buildings with that name. Heck, even around Constitución Plaza in Buenos Aires there is a building with the name Stella Maris. So, I started to ask around, “Who is Stella Maris?” No one could answer my question. Of course, I never thought to Google the name or thinking about the origin of the words.
My thinking cap wasn’t on. Somehow, I had it in my mind that Stella Maris must have been some faded Argentine movie actress, rather like Mirtha Legrand.
Well, I was way wrong. But, when we were down in Dunamar I was reading about the history of Claromecó and found my answer. Stella Maris, Latin for star of the seas, is the ancient term used by seafarers for the Virgin Mary. That explains why the term adorns so many buildings in seaside communities. (Obviously, I grew up Protestant in a land-locked state).
In Claromecó there used to be a grotto devoted to Stella Maris. While that grotto no longer exists, I did take this photo in a shrine to Our Lady of Lourdes that is on the outskirts of Claromecó.
December 25th, 2006 at 11:21 am
And during january or february (i do not remenber exactly the day) people use to go to the beach during the night with flowers and candles and trough it to the sea. It´s some kind of gift to Stella Maris… she´ll take care of you when you get into the water.
December 25th, 2006 at 8:47 pm
Interesting- I used to spend the summer in Mar del Plata growing up and I never knew this. There’s a restaurant in Mar del Plata called “Stella Maris”, near my grandmother’s house, lol.
December 31st, 2006 at 1:19 am
Our daughter’s name: Stella Maris! Our Lady, Star of the Sea, helped us cross the ocean in safety to bring our baby to our arms. She’s adopted from Korea!
Stella Maris is doing beautifully, home about one month now!
Lots to learn about the Virgin, the Scapular and Mt. Carmel. Happy researching!
January 23rd, 2007 at 10:45 am
I believe Stella Maris is celebrated about a week before Mardi Gras, at least this is how they celebrate her in a little fishing village we went to in Uruguay.
February 19th, 2007 at 11:30 pm
and, when I was a child and growing up and attending Catholic schools in the Mexican American community of San Antonio, TX, the health clinic staffed by nuns that we went to for our shots (innoculations) was called “Stella Maris Clinic”. The words “Stella Maris” still make me want to run and hide!
April 27th, 2007 at 7:37 pm
yes, it´s right… Stella Maris for our culture is only: Estrella de Mar. Miramar has 16 building with that name, SM1 to SM16 and our building is the Stella Maris 7.
April 28th, 2007 at 12:44 pm
Hi Silvia…Wow! 16 buildings in Miramar named Stella Maris…I didn’t realize there were so many.
April 30th, 2007 at 5:40 pm
Yessss, 16, of not believing”¦ to where I know. In order to complete little plus the Star of the Sea definition it could say that:
The dark at night, the navigators by centuries trusted stars to orient themselves towards the safe port. For religious people: The Virgin is the star of the “evangelización” that takes to Christ, safe port.
xxxx
December 7th, 2011 at 7:17 am
There was a Stella Maris seamans’ mission in Buenos Aires in Avenida Independencia near the port, behind the large engineering university. It was, at one time, the residence of a general.
January 15th, 2013 at 12:46 am
When I was born on 7th July 1946, my mothers elder sister gave me the name Stella Maris. Then I was told that it should be Maria Stella Maris. All that confused me about this name for I knew nothing about it. Its only now when I read about it that I understand about my name and, I have begun to like it. So, no wonder why that one day in my sleep Mother Maria flew down to rescue me as I was being troubled by bad people. They were taking turns to torment me. When she flew down she landed at the foot of my bed glittering. She had a bright light around her with her arms stretched as if torwards me, those bad people all ran away from me and never did it again. I have known it today that my name is of the same woman the mother of Jesus. Thanks to everyone who made it clear for me at 66 years of age.