Episode 1813: Where did the Memorare come from?

"We shall steer safely through every storm, so long as our heart is right, our intention fervent, our courage steadfast, and our trust fixed on God."
–St. Francis de Sales
Today's Meditation
“Always give good heed to the Word of God, whether you hear or read it in private, or hearken to it when publicly preached: listen with attention and reverence; seek to profit by it, and do not let the precious words fall unheeded; receive them into your heart as a costly balsam; imitate the Blessed Virgin who ‘kept all the sayings’ concerning her Son, ‘in her heart.’ And remember that according as we hearken to and receive God’s words, so will He hearken and receive our supplications.”
—St. Francis de Sales, p. 99

Well that got me to thinking about a prayer we say every night after the Holy Rosary and also I will say it after my Eucharistic adoration. It is a powerful 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…”

The Memorare is one of the most powerful prayers in our Catholic treasury. As seen in its opening line, the Memorare begins with the simple acknowledgment of Our Blessed Mother’s constant presence in our lives.

By emphasizing the simple fact that Our Lady is our steadfast companion and help, the Memorare becomes a prayer of confidence and consolation…and it has a miraculous reputation that precedes it.

The Memorare is sometimes attributed to St. Bernard of Clairvaux, who lived in the 12th century, but its original author is actually unknown. It appears in a longer 15th-century prayer, Ad sanctitatis tuae pedes, dulcissima Virgo Maria (“At your holy feet, sweetest Virgin Mary”).

Despite its most likely being composed some centuries before, the Memorare was not popularized until the 17th century when another Bernard, Fr. Claude Bernard, was miraculously healed through the prayer.

St. Bernard of Clairvaux (1090–1153) was a medieval French abbot, theologian, and mystic who played a significant role in the Cistercian monastic movement. He was born into a noble family in Burgundy, France, and at the age of 22, he entered the Cistercian monastery of Cîteaux along with 30 companions, including some of his relatives.

Bernard's deep spirituality, eloquence, and leadership qualities soon became evident, leading to his appointment as the abbot of the monastery at Clairvaux. Under his guidance, the monastery grew, and he founded numerous other Cistercian monasteries throughout Europe.

St. Bernard was known for his theological writings, sermons, and letters. While he is often credited with the authorship of the Memorare, it's important to note that the actual authorship of the prayer is uncertain. The Memorare is not explicitly found in St. Bernard's known works, and it seems to have emerged later, possibly evolving from a longer 15th-century prayer.

Despite the uncertainty about St. Bernard's connection to the Memorare, he is revered for his contributions to Christian theology and spirituality. He wrote extensively on topics such as love, humility, and the contemplative life. St. Bernard's influence extended beyond the monastery, as he played a key role in ecclesiastical and political affairs of his time.

The Memorare itself gained popularity in the 17th century, long after St. Bernard's death, and its association with him might be more traditional than historical. The prayer's enduring reputation is linked to its purported miraculous effects, such as the healing of Fr. Claude Bernard, which contributed to its widespread use and devotion in the Catholic Church.

One notable endorsement comes from St. Therese of Lisieux, also known as the "Little Flower." She was a Carmelite nun who lived in the late 19th century and is a Doctor of the Church. St. Therese had a deep devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and often prayed the Memorare. She attributed many of her answered prayers to the intercession of the Virgin Mary.