The Memorare Prayer: Words, Latin, Meaning and the “Flying Novena”

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The Memorare is a Catholic prayer asking the Blessed Virgin Mary for her intercession. Its name is the first word of the Latin text: Memorare, meaning “Remember.” The prayer expresses confidence in Mary’s maternal care and brings our needs to her as the Mother of Jesus.

The Memorare prayer in English

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary,
that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection,
implored thy help, and sought thy intercession, was left unaided.
Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother.
To thee 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.

This traditional English text appears in The Little Book of the Most Holy Child Jesus (1876). Spelling, punctuation and line breaks have been adjusted. Prayer books may use small variations such as “inspired by” or “in thy clemency.”

The Memorare in Latin

Memorare, O piissima Virgo Maria,
non esse auditum a saeculo,
quemquam ad tua currentem praesidia,
tua implorantem auxilia,
tua petentem suffragia, esse derelictum.
Ego tali animatus confidentia,
ad te, Virgo Virginum, Mater, curro,
ad te venio, coram te gemens peccator assisto.
Noli, Mater Verbi, verba mea despicere;
sed audi propitia et exaudi. Amen.

What the Memorare means

  • “Remember…” This is the language of trusting petition. It recalls Mary’s maternal care and asks for her help now.
  • “…never was it known…” This is not a promise that every request will be granted as we ask. It is confidence that Mary never abandons anyone who comes to her; she always brings them to her Son.
  • “I fly unto thee…” The image is of a child running to its mother.
  • “…sinful and sorrowful.” The prayer is honest. We come as we are.
  • “O Mother of the Word Incarnate…” This title names Mary in relation to Jesus, the eternal Son of God who became man. The Catechism explains that we entrust our needs to Mary’s prayer, while Jesus remains the one mediator (CCC 2674–2677).

Where the Memorare comes from

Its author is uncertain. The prayer is often printed with the name of St. Bernard of Clairvaux, but that familiar attribution is not proof of authorship. A different Bernard, Father Claude Bernard, helped spread it in seventeenth-century France. The original Catholic Encyclopedia entry on Claude Bernard distinguishes his work of popularizing the prayer from its earlier origin.

The dependable point for someone learning the prayer is its content: it asks Mary to intercede with her Son, with confidence and humility.

The “flying novena” of St. Teresa of Calcutta

The “flying novena”, also called a quick novena, is associated with St. Teresa of Calcutta. Msgr. Leo Maasburg, who traveled with her, describes praying it with her in his memoir Mother Teresa of Calcutta: A Personal Portrait. His account gives ten Memorares: nine for the need, followed by a tenth in thanksgiving.

To follow that custom:

  1. Bring a particular intention to prayer.
  2. Pray the Memorare nine times, allowing its meaning to shape your petition.
  3. Pray it once more in thanksgiving, entrusting the outcome to God.

The number of repetitions is a devotional custom. It does not guarantee a particular result or require God to answer within a deadline. For the usual nine-day form of a novena, see Catholic novenas.

The Memorare to St. Joseph

There are also prayers called a Memorare to St. Joseph, modeled on this prayer’s expression of confidence. They address Joseph and use different words. The English and Latin texts on this page are the Memorare to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

When to pray the Memorare

  • In a crisis, when you do not know what else to pray.
  • Before an important decision, an exam, surgery or a difficult conversation.
  • For someone else who is in danger, sick or far from God.
  • At the end of the Rosary, after the Hail Holy Queen.
  • As a “flying novena” of nine Memorares and a tenth in thanksgiving.

Frequently asked questions

Who wrote the Memorare?

The author is uncertain. Father Claude Bernard helped popularize it in seventeenth-century France; the traditional attribution to St. Bernard of Clairvaux should not be presented as established fact.

Is the Memorare in the Bible?

No, but it rests on the biblical role of Mary as the Mother of Jesus and on scenes such as the wedding at Cana, where she brings a need to her Son (John 2:1–11).

What is the difference between the Memorare and the Hail Mary?

The Hail Mary is drawn largely from Scripture and is part of the Rosary. The Memorare is a later prayer of confident petition. Both ask for Mary’s intercession.

Can I pray the Memorare for someone else?

Yes. Before or after the prayer, tell God whom you are praying for and ask Mary’s intercession for that person. You can keep the traditional text as it stands.

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