For centuries, Christians have poured forth their prayers, praises, and petitions into song. While the words of beloved hymns have been well-known by thousands of faithful people over the centuries, the origins of many older hymns are murky—they seem to simply appear out of thin air. Perhaps they do not so much appear out of thin air but grow from the fertile ground of faithful devotion and deep love for Our Lord and His Church. It seems that this is how the Marian hymn O Sanctissima came about. It was first publicly published in a London periodical in 1792, but it originated in Sicily. It was, simply, the hymn that the Catholic sailors would sing at the end of their day—a closing hymn praising and petitioning their heavenly mother. 

The hymn itself is a prayerful reflection on the glory of Mary’s sinlessness, making it particularly appropriate for the feast of the Immaculate Conception, but, of course, the Sicilian sailors sang it daily. It also reminds the singer (or listener) of Mary’s role as Mediatrix of graces, as her heavenly intercession is implored repeatedly. It is a hymn of children praising the virtues and imploring the help of a beloved mother. 

It has been adapted to be a Christmas hymn in some contexts, but it is appropriate for any Marian feast and would be a beautiful addition to a celebration of the quickly approaching feast of the Assumption! 

Very little else is known about this hymn and there does not seem to be a consensus on the number of stanzas in the Latin nor a general English translation. The Latin verses (and English translation) included below are compiled from different sources, in an effort to give a complete picture of the hymn.  

O sanctíssima,O piíssima,
Dulcis Virgo María;
Mater amáta, intemeráta,
Ora, ora pro nobis.

Tota pulchra es, O María, et
 Mácula non est inte;
Mater amáta, intemeráta,
Ora, ora por nobis.

In miséria, in angústia,
Ora, Virgo, pro nobis;
Pro nobis ora, in mortis hora,
Ora, ora pro nobis.

Tu solátium et refúgium,
Virgo Mater María;
Quidquid optámus perte sperámus,
Ora, ora pro nobis.

Ecce debiles, perquam flebiles;
salva nos, o Maria!
Tolle languores, sana dolores;
ora, ora pro nobis.

Virgo, respice, Mater, aspice;
audi nos, o Maria!
Tu medicinam portas divinam;
ora, ora pro nobis.

O most holy one,
O most lowly one,
Loving Virgin, Maria!
Mother, Maid of fairest love,
Lady, Queen of all above,
Ora, ora pro nobis!

Virgin ever fair,
Mother, hear our prayer,
Look upon us, Maria!
Bring to us your treasure,
Grace beyond all measure;
Ora, ora pro nobis!

O most holy, o most loving,
sweet Virgin Mary!
Beloved Mother, undefiled,
pray, pray for us.

You are solace and refuge,
Virgin Mother Mary.
Whatever we wish, we hope it through you;
pray, pray for us.

Look, we are weak and deeply deplorable;
save us, o Mary!
Take away our lassitude, heal our pains;
pray, pray for us.

Virgin, look at us, Mother, care for us;
hear us, o Mary!
You bring divine medicine;
pray, pray for us.