Memorare

The Memorare is a traditional prayer asking Mary to hear our petition and intercede for us. Its name means “Remember,” the word with which it begins. It is often prayed after the Rosary or on its own for a particular intention. The Compendium includes it among the Church's common prayers.

On this page
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.

In Latin

Memoráre, o piíssima Virgo María,
non esse audítum a sæculo,
quemquam ad tua curréntem præsídia,
tua implorántem auxília, tua peténtem suffrágia, esse derelíctum.
Ego tali animátus confidéntia,
ad te, Virgo Vírginum, Mater, curro,
ad te vénio, coram te gemens peccátor assísto.
Noli, Mater Verbi, verba mea despícere;
sed áudi propítia et exáudi. Amen.

A prayer of trust

The Memorare asks Mary to hear our petition and pray for us. Its Latin name means “Remember,” the word with which the prayer begins. We approach her as the mother of Jesus, trusting her maternal care.

Its confidence is joined to humility. We come as sinners, acknowledging our need for mercy. Calling Mary “Mother of the Word Incarnate” keeps Jesus at the center: the eternal Word truly became man and was born of her. Her intercession depends on her Son's saving work, as the Church teaches about all prayer to Mary.

What does “never was it known” mean?

These words express devotional confidence in Mary's intercession. They are not a promise that every request will be answered in the form or at the time we choose. We entrust the petition to God through her prayer, remaining open to his will.

The Memorare is often attributed to Saint Bernard of Clairvaux. The attribution is traditional, though his authorship has not been established. Father Claude Bernard, a French priest of the seventeenth century, helped spread devotion to the prayer. The similar names have contributed to confusion between the two men.

The Church receives the Memorare as a traditional Marian prayer; the Compendium includes its English and Latin text among common prayers. The Latin version begins with the same request to remember the petitioner's trust in her protection.

Praying it after the Rosary

You may add the Memorare after the usual closing prayers. It has no assigned bead and is not required to complete a Rosary. A prayer group may include it among its closing prayers, with everyone saying the text together.

Pray the Holy Rosary

Sources