The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Each year, we will introduce a theme drawn from the Church’s Tradition. It will serve as a common thread throughout all of our programming — a spiritual foundation, a focal point.  

This year’s theme is taken from the Gospel of John: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (Jn. 1:5). The theme hits on at least three levels of meaning for us at Stella Maris.

First, it is eminently Christocentric. Jesus is the light of the world, the light that lights up the darkness of our lives. We live amid a culture of death. It’s an age of darkness. In the midst of that darkness, Jesus still comes and says, “I am here. Do not be afraid.” But the darkness in our lives does not oppress us only from the outside. No. The most oppressive darkness is that of sin. And, Jesus does something about that, too.

Second, the theme strikes a Marian chord, especially for us. Stella Maris means “star of the sea,” that guiding light used by sailors for navigation at sea. Mary, herself, is a light, but always one pointing to Christ and never to herself. Reflecting on all this, St. Thomas Aquinas says, “As mariners are guided into port by the shining of a star, so Christians are guided to heaven by Mary.”

Finally, in Mt. 5:14, Jesus says to his disciples: “You are the light of the world.” Brothers and sisters, we are called to be light wherever we go — our lives illuminated by the light of Christ, guiding others to him like Mary, our model in faith. We are called to be light in this present age filled with so much darkness.