She Knew

though I didn't have a clue

I did not know 
anything 
beyond the practicalities 
and the call 
of the Wise Moon. 

I could not see;
blinded by the magnitude 
of the moment’s brightness,
and the intoxication 
of new autumnal air.

So unaware of 
the depth and darkness 
of the Sea that lay before me. 
I did not know,
but She did. 

She knew that 
the Wise Moon’s 
calling
would require 
a fearsome falling.

She knew that
the Sea’s 
exploring
meant complacency’s 
unmooring.

She knew all
the monsters 
waiting
and difficulty 
navigating. 

She knew how long.
She knew how far. 
Great Stella Maris!
Sea’s Bright Star! 
She saw it all

But only smiled
upon Her 
wide-eyed 
wandering 
child;

through all
the recklessness 
and roaming
toward her full
and final Homing. 

Mother of Christ, 
Star of the Sea;
pray for the wanderers;
pray 
for me. 

~Cheryl Anne Maris

“Our Lady of the Sea” painting over my bed, by Alma; Whimsical Spirit Print, Etsy.

Today is the Feast of Our Lady, Stella Maris. Her attributes of guidance and protection were my reasons for legally taking the surname “Maris” a few years ago. It was the exclamation of “You need Stella Maris!” by a beloved friend some years earlier when I expressed feeling “out to sea”, which caused me to reach out to Her. Though I have known and loved the Blessed Mother in many of Her expressions since childhood, I was only vaguely familiar with Stella Maris. In the process of discerning my name change, it surprised me that this was the name that kept calling to me when other contenders made more sense to me in obvious ways and had held meaning for me much longer. But “Maris” was as persistent as the waves lapping at the shore.

This new relationship led me to doing some research; interested in the origin of, and legends associated with Stella Maris. I decided I would start celebrating Her Feast Day, and was surprised and delighted to find that it corresponded with the date of my ordination. There were ten years between my ordination and my “You need Stella Maris!” moment. At the time of the ordination, I hadn’t a clue of the significance of the date, but I am convinced that She Knew. I sense I will gradually gain even more understanding as I continue to follow Her Star.

Have you ever had a significant connection come to light for you long after an important occasion; puzzle pieces come together surprisingly over a long stretch of time?