- Jump to the Prayer
- Origins and History
- The Memorare’s Meaning
- When to Pray
- Benefits
- FAQs
- Memorare on Hallow
The Memorare is one of the most cherished Marian prayers in the Catholic faith. It’s a heartfelt reminder that we can always turn to our Blessed Mother, trusting in her unfailing help, especially in our times of need.
Hallow’s guide to the Memorare will help you learn more about this popular prayer and why it
The Memorare Prayer Text
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.
Origins and History of the Memorare
The Memorare (Latin for “Remember”) is often attributed to St. Bernard of Clairvaux, a Doctor of the Church. The prayer as we know it today became widely popular through the efforts of Fr. Claude Bernard in the 17th century; he distributed more than 200,000 copies of the prayer after attributing his own miraculous recovery from illness to Mary’s intercession.
Found in a 19th century Irish magazine, this prose, sort of a mix between a poem and a prayer, reflects post the popular of the Memorare at this time, and its close connectiont to St. Bernard of Clairvaux, who first became a mong at Citeaux Abbey:
Memorare! Through the ages,
Lightning saint and sinner low,
Touching heroes, poets, sages,
With a deeper spirit-glow,
Comes the prayer of Mary’s Bernard,
Potent now, as long ago,
When it rose like incense heavenward
From the groves of dark CiteauxMemorare, O Maria!
That it never hath been known
Earthly pleading, Mater pia,
Rose unheeded to thy throne.
Hear us, then, who kneel before thee,
With a long that fain would grow
To the love that Bernard bore thee
In the cloisters of Citeaux
St. Francis de Sales, famous for his Salesian spirituality, highly recommended the Memorare, and it has remained a cherished prayer for countless Catholics seeking Mary’s powerful intercession. The prayer beautifully expresses our confidence in approaching our Blessed Mother, knowing she will carry our petitions to her Son.
In more recent times, the Memorare prayer has inspired the name of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors’s (PCPM) program called the Memorare Initiative, which aims to collaborate with local Churches worldwide in to strengthen the protection of children and vulnerable adults. It’s a fitting name, given the text of the prayer helps us to call upon Mary for her protection.
The prayer is as relevant today as ever. In the 2025 Jubilee Year, one American diocese launched “A Million Memorares for hope,” with the goal of “deepening our diocese’s prayer life and fostering a spirit of hope.”
Understanding the Memorare’s Meaning
The Memorare begins with a powerful statement of confidence: “never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection… was left unaided.” This isn’t just poetic language—it’s a profound theological truth about Mary’s role in our spiritual lives. As the mother of Jesus, Mary has a unique relationship with Christ and a special place in our prayer life.
When we pray the Memorare, we’re acknowledging both our own need for help (“sinful and sorrowful”) and our complete trust in Mary’s maternal intercession. Unlike the Hail Mary, which begins with the angel Gabriel’s greeting, the Memorare immediately places us in a position of seeking Mary’s assistance with complete confidence in her care.
When to Pray the Memorare
Some of the beauty of the Memorare is its simplicity and versatility: It’s easy to pray and can be offered up in any number of situations:
- During times of urgent need – The Memorare is particularly powerful when facing difficult decisions or seemingly impossible situations.
- As part of a daily Marian devotion – Many Catholics include the Memorare in their morning prayer routine.
- Before bed – The prayer makes a beautiful addition to your night prayer routine.
- In a novena format – Some traditions involve praying the Memorare nine times in a row as an “emergency novena.” St. Teresa of Calcutta was known to pray what she called her “Flying Novena” — nine Memorares in a row followed by a tenth in thanksgiving for the favor received.
- As part of the Rosary – Some people add the Memorare at the beginning or end of their daily Rosary.
The Spiritual Benefits of Praying the Memorare
Mother Theresa once said:
“The fruit of silence is prayer, the fruit of prayer is faith, the fruit of faith is love, the fruit of love is service, and the fruit of service is peace.”
Like all prayer, the memorare can help us grow in faith. Regularly praying it helps us develop a deeper relationship with Mary, who leads us to her Son, Jesus. This prayer reminds us that we’re never alone in our struggles. Just as Mary stood at the foot of the Cross during Jesus’s greatest suffering, she stands with us in our moments of need.
In Mary, we have a mother who understands human suffering and brings our needs directly to her Son.
Commonly Asked Questions About the Memorare
The Memorare isn’t directly from Scripture, but its theology is deeply biblical. It reflects Mary’s intercessory role, which we see at events like the Wedding at Cana (John 2:1-11) where Mary brings needs to Jesus.
Anyone can pray the Memorare who feels drawn to Mary’s intercession. While Marian devotion is most prominent in Catholic and some Orthodox traditions, all are welcome to seek Mary’s prayers.
Unlike prayers like the Hail Mary which begin with praise, the Memorare immediately expresses confidence in Mary’s help and presents our petitions. It’s particularly focused on seeking Mary’s intercession in times of need.
Incorporating the Memorare into Your Prayer Life
The Memorare is a simple prayer to memorize and incorporate into your daily routine.
Hallow can also help.
On the Hallow app, there are several different sessions of the Memorare available–same prayer, different voice.
In addition to standard Hallow voices like Francis and Abby, you can also pray the Memorare in sessions led by Jonathan Roumie.
Hallow also offers the Memorare with audio from Fr. Patrick Peyton, known as “Rosary priest.” Fr. Peyton, who died in 1992, was declared venerable in 2017 by Pope Francis and his known for his tremendous work popularizing the rosary and prayer within families.