‘We fly to thy patronage, O Holy Mother of God’ – origin of this prayer.

Where did the prayer ‘We fly to thy protection’ come from?

‘We fly to thy patronage, 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.’

This prayer, also known in Latin as ‘Sub Tuum Praesidium’, is  the most ancient known prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary, in the Church. It is found on an Egyptian papyrus from the 3rd century. It is used as a  Night Prayer, and is a prayer on the lips of many, over the generations.

The Greek word (*see below)  for patronage, used in the original, refers to the

Mother of Perpetual Help - Mater de Perpetuo Succursu

intestines, entrails of compassion, a visceral response,  which causes someone to run and help another in distress.

The same word is used in the Gospels when the Good Samaritan ‘was moved with compassion’, or Jesus ‘was moved with compassion’ towards the woman in the synagogue bent over for many years. It means a stomach-churning response.

The word in Greek is also used when an army is in distress and re-enforcements are sent forward immediately and powerfully. One’s whole inside responds powerfully to another’s need.

The other title ‘Mother of Perpetual Help’ (Mater de Perpetuo Succursu ) likewise means ‘always running to catch someone falling or in distress’ – from the Latin words  sub & currere, beneath and to run)

*(εὐσπλαγχνίαν – pronounced   eu -splangthnian –   having a good stomach or visceral response for someone or ones)

Seamus Devitt C.Ss.R., Esker, Athenry, Co. Galway, Ireland.