Need Help? Pray a Memorare
Mary’s maternal love abounds in this time-honored prayer.
Many would say the Rosary is their favorite Marian prayer. It is a lovely prayer, of course. But my favorite Mary-themed prayer is the Memorare.
Many a time, I have prayed it with anxiety or worry weighing on my mind. And the Blessed Mother has always helped. Her maternal mercy intercedes so well, from special intentions for myself or others to immediate needs — from small to large matters.
One of my favorite saints, St. Francis de Sales, recognized the beauty of this prayer, too. During one time of distress, he “recited the Memorare day after day,” and she “did not leave him unaided.”
Reflect on the beautiful words and pray:
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known, that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine 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.
Seeking the intercession of Mother Mary — on this last day of the Month of Mary, and always — should be part of our go-to prayers. As Elizabeth welcomed Mary with joy at the Visitation, which we as a Church celebrate today, so should we welcome her into our lives, entrusting ourselves to her maternal love.
Bishop Paul Etienne of Cheyenne, Wyo., recently tweeted, “Our Lord and Our Lady are the best tag team in history. Call upon them. Lean on them. Hope in them. Trust them.”
As another of my favorite saints, St. Gianna Molla, said of Mary in this prayer of consecration:
“O Mary, into your maternal hands I place myself, and I abandon myself completely, sure of obtaining whatever I ask of you. I trust in you because you are the sweet Mother; I confide in you because you are the Mother of Jesus. In this trust, I place myself, sure of being heard in everything; with this trust in my heart I greet you ‘my Mother, my trust’; I devote myself entirely to you, begging you to remember that I am yours, that I belong to you; keep me and defend me, O sweet Mary, and in every instant of my life, present me to your Son, Jesus.”
Because Jesus and his mom will never let you down.
Mother of God, pray for us!
- Keywords:
- blessed mother
- marian devotions
- memorare
- month of mary
- prayer
- st. francis de sales
- st. gianna molla
Amy Smith Amy Smith is a Register senior editor who edits features for the “Culture of Life” section. Fueled by prayer and coffee, she enjoys writing about everything from Jane Austen to saints for the Register. She is the author of The Plans God Has for You: Hopeful Lessons for Young Women (Emmaus Road Publishing). Her writing has also appeared in various other Catholic publications. She has a master’s degree in journalism and a B.A. in English.
