The Memorare Prayer History

The origin of the beloved prayer invoking the Blessed Virgin Mary's intercession

The Memorare prayer, with its lofty claims that it has never been known to ‘fail’ comes from trust in the Mother of all mothers and, ultimately, in God. Its origin is a longer Latin prayer without a title that begins Ad sanctitatis tuae pedes, dulcissima Virgo Maria (At your holy feet, sweetest Virgin Mary).

No one knows the origin or composer of this prayer; it was likely composed centuries before it was popularized in the 17th century by Fr. Claude Bernard (1588-1641) who was miraculously healed through the prayer.

Amazed by his healing, Fr. Claude propagated this devotional by printing over 200,000 prayer leaflets in many languages. From France to England to Germany, Fr. Claude distributed the prayer that brought about the miraculous healing intercession of Our Lady. 

It eventually became the favorite prayer of many powerful saints such as St. Francis de Sales and St. Teresa of Calcutta. Mother Teresa insisted upon its power, saying it never once failed her in times of great need.

Variations of the Memorare appeared in the later 1600s and then the 1700s. The wording of the prayer stabilized during the 19th century to the prayer we know today when Pope Pius IX granted a partial indulgence in 1846 to the faithful who recited it.

The Memorare Prayer

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.