Prayers to Mother Mary

The Memorare has been prayed for centuries by people out of options. This is the English text from the Raccolta (1910).

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that any one who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession, was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy clemency hear and answer me. Amen.

One of the oldest prayers to Mary we know of; a version of it survives on a papyrus from the early centuries of the church. Short enough to pray in any danger.

We fly to thy patronage, O holy Mother of God; despise not thou our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us always from all dangers, O glorious and blessed Virgin. Amen.

The Salve Regina, from around the eleventh century, traditionally prayed at the end of the Rosary.

Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, hail, our life, our sweetness, and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears. Turn, then, most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us; and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed Fruit of thy womb, Jesus, O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. Amen.

At Cana, Mary saw what was missing and took it to her Son. Ask her to do the same for someone who is sick.

His mother said to the servants, “Whatever he says to you, do it.” John 2:5

Mary, at Cana you noticed what was missing before anyone else did, and you took it straight to Jesus. Notice us now. Someone I love is sick, and I’m afraid. Bring them to your Son, and ask Him to heal them in body and spirit, as He wills. And whatever He tells me to do, help me do it. Amen.

A mother’s prayer, from one mother to another.

Mary, you were a mother. You lost your Son for three days and found Him again. You watched Him suffer and couldn’t stop it. You know what I carry for my family. Pray for my children, my marriage, the ones who are far from home and far from God. Bring us all to Jesus, and keep us together in His love. Amen.

Before anyone prayed to Mary, she prayed. Her words from Luke’s Gospel, and a prayer to make them our own.

Mary said, My soul magnifies the Lord. My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior, for he has looked at the humble state of his servant. For behold, from now on, all generations will call me blessed. For he who is mighty has done great things for me. Holy is his name. Luke 1:46-49

Lord, Mary called herself Your humble servant and sang about the great things You had done. Give me her kind of gratitude, and her kind of yes. Let my soul magnify You today, and not myself. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Mary’s first recorded words to God were a yes. Start the day with one.

Good morning, Lord. Before I know what today will ask of me, I want to answer the way Mary did: let it be done to me according to Your word. Whatever comes, keep my heart open to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.