Reflection: Remember O most gracious Virgin Mary...

Ad sanctitatis tuae pedes, dulcissima Virgo Maria...

Our Mother Mary knows your sufferings and hurts. Offer them to her and ask for her intercession to her Beloved Son Jesus. Her heart was pierced when she heard Simeon's words, as she held her precious Child. She pondered this in her heart though she did not understand. Look to Mary and pray the Memorare.

Mary was petitioned as "Mother of God" at least by the 3rd Century, in the Sub Tuum prayer:  This prayer, known in Latin as "Sub tuum Praesidium" was first found in a Greek papyrus, c. 300, and is the oldest known prayer to the Virgin:

The "Memorare" is a sixteenth-century version of a fifteenth-century prayer that began "Ad sanctitatis tuae pedes, dulcissima Virgo Maria." Claude Bernard (1588-1641) popularized the idea that the "Memorare" was written by Saint Bernard.

The Memorare
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help or sought your intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto you, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To you I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions but in your mercy, hear and answer me. Amen. 

Last weekend, my husband and I invited a family to our home for dinner. They are friends and John 10:10 prayer partners. We had a wonderful visit with them and their four children. They recently visited the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. and they brought me a beautiful image of our Blessed Mother Mary and the Memorare Prayer. I was so moved to receive this gift, especially because the Memorare is the prayer we pray daily for all the intentions we receive. This family and their young children pray for the John intentions 10:10 in their rosary intentions. We know that Jesus loves the prayers of little children. They rise up to the Throne of God like incense from the altar.

Saint Bernard wrote to our Blessed Mother in a wonderful prayer:
"Look to the star of the sea, call upon Mary… in danger, in distress, in doubt, think of Mary, call upon Mary. May her name never be far from your lips, or far from your heart … If you follow her, you will not stray; if you pray to her, you will not despair; if you turn your thoughts to her, you will not err. If she holds you, you will not fall; if she protects you, you need not fear; if she is your guide, you will not tire; if she is gracious to you, you will surely reach your destination."

Let us always turn to Mary and ask her to receive our petitions and bring them to Jesus.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us. Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us.