[Pyro7480]

I'm glad you asked. :-) It is the Sub Tuum prayer, and it is the oldest Marian prayer known to the Catholic Church. It dates from at least the third century A.D., since they found an Egyptian papyrus from that time with the rough text of the prayer. The full Latin text is:
"Sub tuum praesidium confugimus, sancta Dei Genitrix. Nostras deprecationes ne despicias in necessitatibus; sed a periculis cunctis libera nos semper, Virgo gloriosa et benedicta," which means, "We fly to your protection (or patronage), O Holy Mother of God. Despise not our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us from all dangers, O ever glorious and blessed Virgin."

[Salvation]

Thank you. I live in 2004 not back in the past. Yes, I took some Latin in high school and did fairly well, but why use it now?

We always harp about the Hispanics speaking English when they come to the U. S., so I guess I use the same logic here. why use Latin? (Yes, I know it WAS a tradition.) Any other reasons?