Magnificat

Overview

In Latin, ‘magnificat’ means ‘it praises’.

The Magnificat, taken from Luke’s Gospel (1:46-55), is the Blessed Virgin Mary’s hymn of praise to the Lord. It is also known as the Canticle of Mary in the Liturgy of the Hours, a special collection of scripture readings, psalms, and hymns that constitute what is known as the prayer of the church. (Priests and other religious are required to pray sections from the Liturgy of the Hours each day.)

Magnificat

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,

my spirit rejoices in God my saviour,

who has looked with favour on his lowly servant.

From this day all generations will call me blessed:

the Almighty has done great things for me

and holy is his name.

God has mercy on those who fear him,

from generation to generation.

The Lord has shown strength with his arm

and scattered the proud in their conceit,

casting down the mighty from their thrones

and lifting up the lowly.

God has filled the hungry with good things

and sent the rich away empty.

He has come to the aid of his servant Israel,

to remember the promise of mercy,

the promise made to our forebears,

to Abraham and his children forever.