Memorare

In yesterday's post, I mentioned the starfish. I've been a starfish on more than one occasion in my life. Year's ago, my mother shared a very special prayer with me. It's called the Memorare. It's one of those wonderful little gifts that brings peace in just the right moment.

For those of you who like to know the history of things. Here's the history of this prayer. According to the book Familiar Prayers: Their Origins and History written by Fr. Thurston, Herbert S.J. in 1953:

Fr. Claude Bernard, known as the "Poor Priest", zealously dedicated himself to the preaching and aiding of prisoners and criminals condemned to death. Trusting his charges to the care and intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Fr. Bernard employed the Memorare extensively in his work of evangelization to great effect. Many a criminal was reconciled to God through his efforts. At one time he had more than 200,000 leaflets printed with the Memorare in various languages so he could distribute the leaflets wherever he felt they would do some good.

Part of the reason Fr. Claude Bernard held the prayer in such high regard was because he himself felt that he had been miraculously cured by its use. In a letter to Queen Anne of Austria, wife of Louis XIII, he wrote that he was deathly ill once. In fear of his life he recited the Memorare and immediately began to get well again. Feeling unworthy of such a miracle, he attributed the cure to some unknown natural cause. Sometime later, Brother Fiacre, a discalced Augustinian, came to call upon Fr. Bernard. The good brother begged Fr. Bernard's pardon for disturbing him, but he desired to know how Fr. Bernard was getting along. Brother Fiacre then went on to say that the Virgin Mary had appeared to him in a vision, told him of Fr. Bernard's illness, told him how she had cured Fr. Bernard of it, and that he was to assure Fr. Bernard of this fact. Fr. Bernard then goes on to write in his letter that he was ashamed of his ingratitude in attributing the cure to natural causes, and asked for God's forgiveness in the matter.

I myself have found great comfort in this prayer at times when I was most in need. I offer it to all the starfish out there, and to anyone else who might be seeking a bit of comfort or healing.

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.