Chapel Estelo de la mar - Cavalaire

This slender chapel in white stone stands just outside the private domain of Villa Foncin. Inside is a statue of the Virgin Mary.

The inscription on the chapel reads "Estelo de la mar – prega per nostre". This is an Occitan or southern French variant of "Stella Maris – pregare por nos" which in Latin means: "Starfish – pray for us." The title Stella Maris ("Star of the Sea") dates from the early Middle Ages, based on a possible copy-error in the Latin of St. Jerome: 'stilla maris' ("drop of the sea") became 'stella maris' ("star of the sea")

It is a traditional invocation to Mary , known as "Our Lady Star of the Sea" , an age-old devotion through which believers ask her for guidance and protection, especially during life's storms.

Willem Vandenameele