The Memorare Prayer

The Memorare is a beautiful and simple prayer that calls on the intercession of the Virgin Mary, the Mother of Jesus. For centuries, Catholics have prayed the Memorare in times of need, trusting in Mary’s care and compassion. This prayer is a reminder that Mary is always ready to listen to us and bring our needs before God.

In the Memorare, we ask Mary for her help and protection. We express confidence that she will hear us, based on her long history of answering the prayers of those who come to her. Tradition holds that Mary has helped countless people who turn to her in prayer, and the Memorare captures this trust in her care.

The Memorare is also a prayer of humility. We come to Mary with a sense of our own weakness, asking for her intercession as our spiritual mother. We admit our sins and sorrows and ask her to support us. This prayer reminds us that we need help, and Mary, in her compassion, understands our struggles.

Finally, the Memorare reflects the Catholic belief in Mary’s role as intercessor. She is close to her Son, Jesus, and cares for us like a loving mother. When we pray the Memorare, we are asking Mary to take our needs directly to Jesus. Through this prayer, we place our trust in her love and her willingness to help us draw closer to God.

The Memorare prayer has a long history in the Catholic Church. Its name, Memorare, is a Latin word that means “remember.” The prayer itself asks the Virgin Mary to remember her mercy and kindness. While the exact origins of the prayer are not certain, it is often linked to St. Bernard of Clairvaux, a French abbot from the 12th century. However, it became widely known in the 16th century when it was promoted by Father Claude Bernard, who encouraged its use as a source of comfort for those in distress.

Father Bernard shared the Memorare prayer with many people, believing it brought peace and help. Through his efforts, it spread across Europe and beyond, becoming a favorite prayer for Catholics in need. Over time, the Memorare became a common prayer to ask Mary for help, especially in times of difficulty.

The Memorare is short and simple, which makes it easy to remember. It begins by recalling Mary’s compassion and the stories of those who have turned to her for help. Next, the prayer expresses our own trust and need. We come to her “sinful and sorrowful,” asking her to hear our prayers and to answer them.

Each line of the Memorare is direct and clear. This simplicity reflects the faith of those who pray it, trusting that Mary, as the Mother of Jesus, will bring our needs to her Son. The prayer’s format helps us remember that we can turn to Mary with confidence and ask for her help in our lives.

The Memorare prayer reflects many themes found in Scripture and Catholic teaching. One key theme is trust in Mary’s help, which is rooted in the wedding at Cana, where Mary intercedes with Jesus on behalf of the hosts. In John 2:1-11, Mary tells Jesus that the wine has run out, and He performs His first miracle in response to her request. This story reminds us that Mary cares for others and brings their needs to her Son, which is the focus of the Memorare.

Another theme is Mary’s role as our spiritual mother. The Gospel of John tells us that Jesus entrusted Mary to the Apostle John’s care at the foot of the cross. Catholics believe this moment symbolizes Mary’s role as mother to all believers. The Memorare reflects this by asking Mary to intercede as a mother who listens with love and compassion.

In youth ministry, the Memorare can help young people connect with Mary as a role model and friend. It shows that we can go to her with our needs, trusting in her care. Mary’s example of humility and trust encourages youth to grow in faith and courage, even in difficult times. The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains this, saying, “In a wholly singular way she cooperated by her obedience, faith, hope, and burning charity in the Savior’s work of restoring supernatural life to souls” (CCC 968). By praying the Memorare, young people learn to see Mary as a strong, loving guide in their journey toward God.

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary,
that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection,
implored your help, or sought your intercession,
was left unaided.

Inspired by this confidence,
I fly unto you, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother.

To you do I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful.

O Mother of the Word Incarnate,
despise not my petitions,
but in your mercy, hear and answer me.

Amen.

Mother Mary Lesson Plan

This lesson on the Wedding at Cana helps youth see Mary as our mother and a powerful intercessor. In this story, Mary notices the wine has run out and brings the need to Jesus, showing her concern for others. When she tells the servants, “Do whatever he tells you,” she guides them—and us—to listen to Jesus and trust in Him. This phrase highlights Mary’s role in pointing us to Jesus and her trust in His power. Through this lesson, youth will learn how Mary’s example encourages us to follow Jesus and rely on her help as we seek to grow in faith.

Why Do Catholics Pray to Mary and the Saints?

This lesson plan helps youth understand Mary’s intercession as similar to asking a friend to pray for you. Just as we ask others to support us in prayer, we can ask Mary to pray for us because she is close to Jesus. This does not mean we worship Mary; instead, we honor her as Jesus’ mother and our spiritual mother. The lesson also explains that prayer to Mary is a request for her help, not an act of worship. Through this, youth learn that prayer can be about asking for support in faith, while worship is reserved for God alone.

More Catholic Prayers

For more prayers like the Memorare, visit the Catholic Prayers page. There, you’ll find a collection of traditional Catholic prayers that can help deepen your faith and bring comfort in times of need. The page includes well-known prayers such as the Our Father, Hail Mary, and the Rosary, along with many others for different occasions. Whether you’re looking for prayers of thanksgiving, guidance, or intercession, you’ll find options to help strengthen your relationship with God. Explore these prayers and find ones that speak to you and your spiritual journey.

What is the Memorare prayer?

The Memorare prayer is a short, traditional Catholic prayer asking the Virgin Mary for help and intercession. In it, we express trust that she will hear and answer our requests. The word Memorare means “remember” in Latin, reminding Mary to remember her compassion and care for us.

Why do Catholics pray the Memorare?

Catholics pray the Memorare to ask Mary for her support in times of need. The prayer reflects faith that Mary, as the mother of Jesus, will intercede for us and bring our needs to her Son.

Who wrote the Memorare prayer?

The Memorare prayer is often linked to St. Bernard of Clairvaux, but it became well-known through Father Claude Bernard in the 16th century. Father Bernard shared it widely, making it a common prayer for asking Mary’s intercession.

When is the best time to pray the Memorare?

The Memorare prayer can be prayed anytime, but it is especially meaningful in times of struggle or when you need Mary’s help. It is often prayed in moments of worry, sadness, or difficulty, asking Mary to bring comfort and guidance.

The Memorare prayer is a cherished Catholic prayer that calls upon the Virgin Mary for help in times of need. It is a prayer of trust and hope, rooted in the belief that Mary, as the mother of Jesus, will bring our concerns to her Son. This prayer has comforted many people over the centuries, offering peace and confidence in Mary’s care.

The Memorare has a simple and direct structure. It begins by recalling that Mary has never failed to help those who ask her. With this in mind, we come to her “sinful and sorrowful,” asking her to listen to our prayers. This humility and trust are key parts of the Memorare, reminding us that we can rely on Mary’s compassion and understanding.

The Memorare is also a reminder of Mary’s role in the Church as an intercessor. Catholics believe that she is always close to Jesus, and so we turn to her for support. In praying the Memorare, we place our faith in Mary’s love for us as a mother, knowing that she will hear us and help us to seek God’s mercy.

Have you ever prayed the Memorare in a time of need? If so, we invite you to share your experience in the comments section below. Your story could help others who are seeking comfort or hope. If the Memorare prayer is new to you, consider adding it to your daily prayers and see how it can bring you closer to Mary and to Jesus.

We would love to hear about how this prayer has helped or encouraged you. Let’s share our experiences and grow in faith together.