The Memorare Army

For many years, Benedictine College has organized many Memorare Army prayer campaigns for specific intentions of the college and the wider world. Participants pray the Memorare Prayer a number of times per day for the duration of the campaign.

Memorare Army to Transform Culture in America

Benedictine College is calling all to ask for the intercession of Our Lady to transform the culture in America. Join us and commit to praying 1,000 Memorares between Sept. 8, 2024 (Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary) and Dec. 8, 2024 (Feast of the Immaculate Conception).

This Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, join us to celebrate Our Lady’s Nativity on campus beginning at 6:00 p.m. on campus, or simply join the Memorare Army to Transform Culture in America.

The Memorare Prayer

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.

History of the Memorare Army

Again and again, the college has relied on its Memorare Army prayer campaign to fulfill Benedictine College’s mission to educate students in a community of faith and scholarship. Now, the college has applied the prayer campaign idea to a national Memorare Army Campaign for religious liberty.

Mother Teresa formed the first “Memorare Army” years ago when she discovered that she would need to relocate to a $85,000 building but had no money to do so. Her sisters took to their knees and 85,000 Memorares later, a check arrived for $85,000.

President Minnis applied her idea in 2007 when enrollment was dropping after having risen above 1,200 for the first time ever. The prayer campaign asked for more students to be given the experience of a Benedictine College education. After the 30 members of the first Memorare Army prayed 1,200 Memorares apiece, 1,232 full-time undergraduate students enrolled for the fall.

In 2008, the college needed to raise money for the Grotto on campus, putting the image of the Blessed Mother’s care for the sick and the poor in the center of campus. The President started another Memorare Army. This time 50 people to prayed 1,000 Memorares apiece for the success of the campaign. Generous donors, led by the Dunns, came through, and the grotto was dedicated a year later.

In 2010, when the need for a new Academic Center loomed large, President Minnis started another Memorare Army. The reason for the college’s Investing in Excellence campaign, and for this Memorare Army, was “That in All Things God May Be Glorified.” That autumn’s Raven Review, carried an invitation to “Join the Army” and some 330 members pledged to say 1,000 memorares within a year’s time for funding for the Academic Center. One year later, on the vigil of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Jim Ferrell called President Minnis late at night to say he was giving the college the $4 million needed to complete the building.

In 2012, the college launched another Memorare Army — a prayer campaign for religious liberty. In that effort, more than 3 million Memorares were prayed for religious liberty in America because of this most recent Memorare Army.

Memorare Army Stories

• National Catholic Register’s story on the Memorare Army
• Arcbishop Naumann’s article on “How Prayer Stopped a Kansas Storm”.
• “Mary’s Miracles”, an account of Mary’s intercessions for Benedictine College.

Prayer Resources and More

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