The Memorare
St. Bernard's confident prayer to Mary — "never was it known".
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.
About this prayer
The Memorare is traditionally associated with St. Bernard of Clairvaux in the 12th century, though its modern form was popularized by a French priest in the 1500s. It is one of the boldest prayers in the Catholic tradition — built on a single audacious claim: no one who turned to Mary was ever turned away.
When to pray it
When everything else has been tried. When you are praying for someone who has wandered. When you need confidence that you are heard.