Saint Francis’ Memorare

The year was 1586. At that time the question of predestination was an enthralling one for theologians. Pessimistic Calvin treated this subject in such crude terms, so despairing that Catholic authorities were obliged to take part in the debate. On this point, Francis followed the views of Saint Augustine and Saint Thomas with his eyes closed, until one day he surprised himself by thinking, “And what if God rejected me? And what if God abandons me in bad times...” These thoughts became an obsession to the saint. This was obviously the devil’s attack and God’s desire for purifying suffering. His sorrow was so intense that he often felt weakened, and after hours of crying, he seemed to be suffering from anguish. He increased his prayer to touch God’s heart. The anguish of this twenty year old heart lasted six long weeks. Then one evening in January 1587, feeling more dead than alive and crippled by his anguish, he returned home, alone from college. He entered to the church Saint Etienne des Gres. A child in despair, he ran “straight" to his divine mother. In the chapel of the Blessed Virgin, he humbly prostrated in front of her statue, opening his heart in the presence of God. Then, he took a booklet set on the railing of the chapel and piously read, “Remember, O most gracious…” And he then he stressed, "0, Virgin of virgins, my Mother, to you I do come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful. Do not despise my prayer, but answer me!" As he poured out this broken-hearted cry, his temptation disappeared. Still a young student Francis dedicated his life to God and his virginity to Mary, and, as proof of his commitment, he promised to recite the rosary every day of his life.