Read slowly
We fly to thy protection, O holy Mother of God;
despise not our petitions in our necessities,
but deliver us always from all dangers,
O glorious and blessed Virgin.
Amen.
All prayers
Prayer
Sub Tuum Praesidium
Traditional (ancient Marian prayer) · c. 300
“We fly to thy protection, O holy Mother of God; despise not our petitions in our necessities.”
About this prayer
Among the oldest Marian prayers in Christianity. The Church has prayed under Mary's protection for centuries — always toward Christ, never instead of Him.
- When to pray
- In urgent need; before travel; when you feel vulnerable.
- After you read
- The word fly suggests hurry — bring God your need without polishing it first.
- Listed under
- MarianProtectionTrust & surrender
Marian. This is a Marian invocation addressed to Mary as a place of refuge and a merciful intercessor, explicitly expressing her maternal mediation.
Protection. The prayer asks for deliverance “from all dangers,” reflecting the Catholic understanding of Mary’s protective intercession.
Trust & surrender. It calls the faithful to flee to Mary’s patronage, expressing confidence that she cares for God’s people in times of trouble.
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