The Memorare is one of the most trusted prayers to Mary. Its name comes from its first word in Latin, Memorare, "Remember." Catholics turn to it in times of great need, confident that Mary never abandons anyone who asks her help.
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession, was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful.
O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.
When to Pray It
- In times of trouble, worry, or urgent need
- When praying for someone who is sick or in danger
- As part of a novena; many people pray the Memorare nine times in a row for a special intention
- Anytime you want to entrust something to Mary
What It Means
The Memorare moves in three steps:
- Remembering: we remind ourselves, and Mary, that no one who has turned to her has ever been left without help.
- Coming to her: full of that confidence, we come before her honestly, "sinful and sorrowful," as children come to their mother.
- Asking: we call her "Mother of the Word Incarnate," the Mother of Jesus, and ask her to hear and answer our prayer.
The prayer is bold because it trusts so completely. It does not hope Mary might help. It reminds her that she always has.
Where It Comes From
The Memorare is often credited to St. Bernard of Clairvaux, the 12th-century monk known for his love of Mary. In fact, it comes from a longer prayer written in the 1400s.
It was made famous in the 1600s by Fr. Claude Bernard, a French priest known as "the Poor Priest," who prayed it constantly, taught it to prisoners and the poor, and printed it by the thousands. Because of his name, it came to be linked with St. Bernard.
In Latin
Memorare, O piissima Virgo Maria, non esse auditum a saeculo, quemquam ad tua currentem praesidia, tua implorantem auxilia, tua petentem suffragia, esse derelictum.
Ego tali animatus confidentia, ad te, Virgo virginum, Mater, curro; ad te venio; coram te gemens peccator assisto.
Noli, Mater Verbi, verba mea despicere; sed audi propitia et exaudi. Amen.