Sub tuum presidium

Pope Francis recently encouraged the faithful to recite what is probably the oldest prayer dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Studies show that this invocation to Mary was composed before the 3rd century A.D.

The prayer’s earliest form reads:

“Under your mercy we take refuge, Mother of God! Our prayers, do not despise in necessities, but from the danger deliver us, only pure, only blessed.”

It is very short. Nonetheless, it is densely packed with Biblical references to our Lady. With only blessed it echoes Elizabeth’s greeting to Mary on her Visitation. It also refers to Mary’s perpetual Virginity with the phrase only pure and to Her highest title, Her Divine Motherhood when She is addressed as Mother of God.

There is a misconception that long prayers are more effective. However, the brevity and simplicity of some prayers only serve to reveal their hidden power and fruitfulness. This is because they are easy to memorize and recite in urgent needs and trials. Moreover, brief petitions help one to avoid being complicated. He goes straight to the point of his needs and trials.

This may be one of the reasons why Pope Francis has asked the faithful of the world to recite the Sub tuum prayer. In very few words, one is immediately embraced by the principal mysteries attributed to Mary: Her Divine Motherhood and Perpetual Virginity. Likewise, it teaches total faith and abandonment by entrusting oneself and his petitions to our Lady.

Pope Francis, with the recent scandals and abuses by some prominent clergymen, wants us to say this prayer so that the Church may be preserved from the attacks of the devil and also for Her to be aware of “the faults, the errors and abuses committed in the present and in the past, and committed to combating without any hesitation, so that evil may not prevail. (Vatican News)”

The fruits and protection that this prayer showers upon the Church is also applied to every person who recites it. He or she is likewise shielded from the deceit of the devil and is also moved to examine his heart for his personal faults, omissions and commissions.

The Sub tuum, however, is more than just any petition. It is also what we could call a journey prayer or blessing that ask God for a safe and fruitful trip. These types of prayers are obviously short because we cannot risk an over-extended that runs the risk of making one miss his plane or train.

The journey of man on earth has a divine destination. Arriving at that heavenly port or gate is not something he can achieve on his own. Thus, he will constantly require seasoned guides who will show the way, protect him from dangers, point out the memorable highlights of the trip and encourage him if he ever becomes discourage or may stray from his destination.

Thus, we ask our Lady to be our refuge along the way. Just like those small but sturdy mountain cottages where mountaineers stay to weather a thunderstorm or a blizzard, our Lady also give us this protection against the attacks and wiles of the devil.

We also ask Her to provide, within the refuge that is Her heart, for our necessities. A mountain refuge doesn’t have all the amenities of a mall or a convenience store. It only has what is necessary to be warm, fed and rested. And as in any journey, we are taught to live detachment from worldly things that may only be a burden and distraction as we walk.

May we resolve to say this prayer at least once every day which may be our last journey. But we will be consoled that She who is all pure, ever-Virgin, God’s Mother and our Mother, will make sure we reach our final destination.