Sub Tuum Praesidium is a hymn that dates to the third century Coptic Church. It is known as the oldest hymn to the Virgin Mary. The present Latin translation appears to be from the 11th century and has been a popular text for composers, such as Mozart, Obrecht, and Charpentier.

Sub tuum praesidium confugimus,
Sancta Dei Genetrix.
Nostras deprecationes ne despicias
in necessitatibus nostris,
sed a periculis cunctis
libera nos semper,
Virgo gloriosa et benedicta. Amen.


We fly to your patronage,
O holy Mother of God;
despise not our petitions
in our necessities,
but from all dangers
deliver us always,
O glorious and blessed Virgin. Amen.