Prayer Under Thy Protection (Sub Tuum Praesidium)
Fragments of this prayer survive on an Egyptian papyrus dated to around the third century, making it the earliest known prayer addressed directly to Mary. It has been used in the Church's liturgy ever since, especially in times of danger.
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.
