The Memorare

"Never Was It Known..."

The Memorare (Latin for "remember") takes its name from its opening word. It has long been associated with St. Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153), though the exact wording in wide use today was popularized much later, in the 17th century, by the French priest Fr. Claude Bernard ("the poor priest"), who distributed it on prayer cards throughout Paris. Whatever its precise authorship history, it has become one of the most recited Marian prayers in the Catholic world — often kept as a "go-to" prayer for urgent or difficult situations.

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.

Helper

1. Many Catholics pray this specifically in moments of urgent need — before a difficult diagnosis, a hard decision, or a family crisis.
2. The prayer's entire argument is historical, not sentimental: it appeals to Mary's unbroken track record ("never was it known...") rather than to a feeling.
3. Some prayer books render small phrases slightly differently (e.g., "thy help" vs. "your help") — this reflects centuries of translation and reprinting, not doctrinal disagreement.