'SUB TUUM PRAESIDIUM' - OLDEST PRAYER TO MARY...
Likely written during the persecution of Valerian or of Decius, around 3rd Century AD, the prayer shows the early Christians, in grave danger, confidently asking for the protection of the Virgin Mary.Latin
Sub tuum praesidium confugimus,
Sancta Dei Genetrix.
Nostras deprecationes ne despicias in necessitatibus,
sed a periculis cunctis libera nos semper,
Virgo gloriosa et benedicta.
Amen.
English
Under your patronage we take refuge
Holy Mother of God; our petitions,
do not despise in necessities,
but of all dangers deliver us always
glorious Virgin & Blessed. Amen