THE MAGNIFICAT is Mary’s hymn of praise to God, as expressed in the Gospel of Luke¹. It is the oldest Marian hymn and one of the earliest Christian hymns.
The prayer can be either spoken or sung, and the Church frequently incorporates it into its Liturgy. The Magnificat is also part of the Second Joyful Mystery of the Rosary.
St. Louis de Montford also asked his congregations to have a special devotion to the Magnificat and recommended that it be prayed frequently by them. He also often referred in his prayers to St. Ambrose’s saying about the Magnificat:
“Let Mary’s soul be in us to glorify the Lord; let her spirit be in us that we may rejoice in God our Saviour.”
St. Ambrose
The prayer allows us to meditate on the humility of Mary and God’s favor to her. Upon receiving St. Elisabeth’s Spirit-filled praise during her visitation, Mary immediately points to God and glorifies Him. She begins thanking God for the graces that He has bestowed upon her, in fulfillment of the Scriptures and God’s covenant with Israel.
Below I include a video the Magnificat sung by the Daughters of Mary. Followed by the prayer as taught by the Catholic Church.
The Magnificat
My soul magnifies the Lord
And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior;
Because He has regarded the lowliness of His handmaid;
For behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed;
Because He who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is His name;
And His mercy is from generation to generation on those who fear Him.
He has shown might with His arm,
He has scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart.
He has put down the mighty from their thrones,
and has exalted the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich He has sent away empty.
He has given help to Israel, his servant, mindful of His mercy.
Even as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his posterity forever.
Amen
Note:
1 Luke 1:46-55
