The Memorare
This popular prayer, a favorite of many Catholics, dates back to the 15th century and takes its name from the first Latin word of the prayer, "memorare," which means "remember." The Memorare is of unknown authorship, although it has been attributed to St. Augustine (354-430), St. John Chrysostom (c. 347-407) and, with more reason, to St. Bernard of Clairvaux (c. 1090-1153). St. Bernard's sermons on Mary were famous, and it was his Cistercian monks in the monastery of Citeaux in the 12th century who popularized the name "Our Lady" for Mary. The Memorare has also been attributed to the French cleric Claude Bernard (1588-1641), known as the "poor priest" of Paris, whose homilies contain passages that echo its words. No matter who wrote this prayer, it was Father Bernard who did much to popularize it, teaching it in hospitals and prisons, where Mary's intercession was effective in working miracles of grace. The first manuscript of the Mem
That was very enlightening. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteGreat info, but I have a bone to pick with this video; it's we pray with the saints, not to.
ReplyDeletePatty, in the liturgy we almost always pray to God the Father, in some instances to Christ, eg, on the Feast of Corpus Christi. We never pray to Mary or to the saints in the liturgy. But elsewhere we do, eg, the Biblically-based 'Hail Mary'. Praying to Mary or to the saints is little different from my asking you to pray for me. And, yes, we can also pray with the saints. We do this especially when we worship God in the liturgy and are united with the saints in heaven who are worshipping him there.
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