Magnificat
Mary's canticle in Luke 1:46-55, prayed every day at Vespers in the Liturgy of the Hours.
Also known as: Canticle of Mary · Song of Mary
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked with favor 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.
He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm,
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel,
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children for ever.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
When to pray
In the evening, as a prayer of praise and gratitude.
Latin text
et exsultavit spiritus meus in Deo salutari meo,
quia respexit humilitatem ancillae suae;
ecce enim ex hoc beatam me dicent omnes generationes.
Quia fecit mihi magna qui potens est,
et sanctum nomen eius,
et misericordia eius a progenie in progenies
timentibus eum.
Fecit potentiam in brachio suo,
dispersit superbos mente cordis sui;
deposuit potentes de sede
et exaltavit humiles.
Esurientes implevit bonis
et divites dimisit inanes.
Suscepit Israel puerum suum,
recordatus misericordiae suae,
sicut locutus est ad patres nostros,
Abraham et semini eius in saecula.
Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto,
Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper,
et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.
Origin
The Magnificat is a canticle taken directly from the Gospel of Luke (1:46-55), traditionally attributed to the Virgin Mary upon her visit to Elizabeth. It has been a central part of Christian liturgy since ancient times, particularly as the principal canticle of Vespers (Evening Prayer) in the Liturgy of the Hours. Its profound theological content and poetic beauty have made it one of the most cherished prayers in Catholic devotion, expressing Mary's joy and praise for God's mercy and justice.
In other languages
Magnificat (Português) · Magníficat (Español) · Magnificat (Italiano) · Magnificat (Polski) · Ang Magnificat (Tagalog)