THE MAGNIFICAT- is the canticle or song of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the first word of which is
magnificat, Latin for
magnify or praise . Mary spoke these words soon after the Annunciation, when the Angel Gabriel told her that she was to become the mother of God. Mary had gone to visit her cousin Elizabeth, and Elizabeth cried out her: " Blessed art thou among woman, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb ." Mary answer with the words of the Manificat in which she praised God for all His gifts. The
magnificat is said daily in the Roman Office.
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 toward 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.
The hungry he has filled with good things, and the rich he has sent empty away.
He has given help to Israel his servant, mindful of his mercy,
As he promised our fathers, toward Abraham and his descendants forever.