The Beautiful Magnificat Prayer (Canticle Of Mary)

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The Magnificat Prayer: Latin Text

The original Magnificat text is in Latin, a language that continues to hold significant liturgical importance in the Catholic Church today.

Magnificat anima mea Dominum;
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.

(The Gloria Patri is added to the canticle but is not included in Luke’s Gospel). 

Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto,
sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper:
et in Saecula saeculorum. 
Amen.

English Translation of the Magnificat Prayer

The Book of Common Prayer

My soul doth magnify the Lord, 
and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.
For he hath regarded 
the lowliness of his handmaiden.
For behold from henceforth 
all generations shall call me blessed.
For he that is mighty hath magnified me, 
and holy is his Name.
And his mercy is on them that fear him 
throughout all generations.
He hath showed strength with his arm; 
he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He hath put down the mighty from their seat, 
and hath exalted the humble and meek.
He hath filled the hungry with good things, 
and the rich he hath sent empty away.
He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel, 
as he promised to our forefathers,
Abraham and his seed for ever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: 
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Souce: The (Online) Book of Common Prayer

Transcription in English by Deus Today

My soul celebrates the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God, my Savior.
He has acknowledged the humility of His servant.
From now on, all generations will call me blessed.
The Mighty One has exalted me, and His Name is holy.
His mercy extends to those who revere Him across all generations.

He has shown His strength with His arm; 
He has scattered the proud because of their arrogance.
He has dethroned the mighty, and lifted the humble and meek.
He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty-handed.

Remembering His mercy, He has helped His servant Israel,
as He promised to our ancestors, to Abraham and his descendants forever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: 
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Reinterpreting this text in modern English, we grasp its meaning anew. Mary, the humble servant, the blessed mother of Jesus, rejoices in God’s favor. She speaks of God’s strength, His ability to dethrone the mighty and uplift the lowly. She underlines His mercy, His devotion to His promises, and His special care for the needy.

This prayer, is a call for all to pray, to sing, to focus on the spiritual over the material. It reminds us of the value of humility, the importance of mercy, and the certainty of God’s everlasting promise.

Magnificat Prayer – Free PDF Download

Discover the timeless beauty of the Magnificat prayer in a new way! We’re offering you a free, printable PDF that presents this moving prayer in its original Latin form, as well as a faithful English translation.

Carry the profound words of Mary’s song with you wherever you go or use it for your daily devotion. 

Simply click the download button to start your journey with this enduring prayer. Experience the Magnificat in a fresh light today!

The Magnificat Hymn: A Liturgical Jewel

Role in Various Religious Services

Also known as the Canticle of Mary, this precious piece of liturgy holds a distinct position in various religious rites. As a Catholic invocation, it broadcasts the immense might of the Divine, reflecting the words of the Mother of Christ.

This piece becomes a daily element in the Roman Catholic and Lutheran Vespers service, and the Anglican Evening Prayer. Paired traditionally with the Nunc dimittis, another biblical piece, it remains a beloved choice, despite the availability of alternatives.

Presence in Eastern Orthodox Liturgy

In the Eastern Orthodox tradition, this jewel finds its place in the Matins service. Sung before the ninth ode of the canon, each biblical verse, or sticheron, is recited along with a megalynarion or troparion, adding layers to the worship experience.

Part of the Liturgy of the Hours

In the Liturgy of the Hours, a comprehensive collection of scripture readings, psalms, and hymns that form the communal prayer, this piece serves as a reminder of the pivotal role of the Mother of Christ and the blessings she received.

The Spiritual Impact of Virgin Mary’s Prayer

Inspiration

The Magnificat is an inspiring hymn sung by a humble handmaid chosen for an extraordinary mission. When Mary, the mother of Jesus, learned of her divine calling, her heart overflowed with delight and praise for the Lord. Her response, expressed in the Magnificat, serves as an enduring example of grace and faith for all Christians.

Shared with her cousin Elizabeth, this prayer is not just an outpouring of joy; it’s a testament to God’s power and mercy. Mary’s words highlight the mighty acts of the Lord, who “has done great things for me”. This line inspires believers, encouraging them to see the potential for God’s work in their own lives.

Subversiveness

Yet, Mary’s song carries deeper, more subversive undertones. Mary praises a God who disrupts social order, toppling the mighty from their thrones and exalting the humble. These radical shifts challenge existing power structures and stand as a call for justice and equality, a call that has resonated throughout the centuries.

In its essence, the Magnificat is a narrative of divine inversion. It prefigures the teachings of Jesus Christ, drawing attention to themes of sin and redemption, suffering and resurrection. It illustrates the transformative power of God’s love, how it can overturn worldly expectations and norms, lifting up the lowly and filling the hungry with good things.

So, the Magnificat Prayer stands as a beautiful spiritual paradox. On the one hand, it sparks joy and gratitude, as it celebrates God’s favor bestowed upon a humble virgin. On the other hand, it stirs the heart and shakes the conscience with its prophetic voice of radical change.

The spiritual impact of the Magnificat, therefore, is not just about personal comfort; it’s about personal and societal transformation. It is a testament to the power of faith and the possibility of a world reordered by divine love.

The Musical Settings of the Magnificat Prayer

The Magnificat has been a source of inspiration for numerous composers, resulting in a rich collection of musical settings. 

Here are some of the most well-known settings of the Magnificat, a biblical canticle from the Gospel of Luke, in chronological order:

1. Guillaume Dufay (c. 1397 – 1474): A Franco-Flemish composer of the early Renaissance, Dufay composed a setting of the Magnificat which was one of his most well-known works. It demonstrates the modal and structural sophistication of the early Renaissance style.
2. Tomas Luis de Victoria (c. 1548 – 1611): A Spanish composer of the late Renaissance, Victoria wrote a four-part Magnificat for double choir that is a fine example of the polyphonic choral music of the period.
3. Claudio Monteverdi (1567 – 1643): His setting of the Magnificat for Vespers of 1610 is one of the most famous early Baroque examples, showcasing a dramatic and innovative use of choral and orchestral forces.
4. Heinrich Schütz (1585 – 1672): This German composer’s setting, the “Magnificat SWV 468”, is notable for its contrapuntal complexity and its evocative setting of the text.
5. Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 – 1750): Bach’s “Magnificat in D Major, BWV 243” is one of the most famous settings of all time. Its 12 movements showcase a variety of forms and compositional techniques, and it is a pinnacle of Baroque choral music.

6. Antonio Vivaldi (1678 – 1741): His “Magnificat RV 610” is another famous setting. Known for its melodic inventiveness and vibrant choral writing, it’s a fine example of Vivaldi’s sacred music.
7. Charles Villiers Stanford (1852 – 1924): His “Magnificat in G” is one of the most famous settings from the late Romantic period. Its rich harmonies and soaring melodies make it a staple of the Anglican choral tradition.
8. Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872 – 1958): His “Magnificat” is a lesser-known but powerfully evocative setting, featuring an unusual solo part for a contralto voice and a prominent role for the orchestra.
9. Arvo Pärt (b. 1935): This Estonian composer’s “Magnificat” is a prime example of his tintinnabuli style, which uses simple, bell-like triadic harmonies and scales to create a sense of timeless spirituality.
10. John Rutter (b. 1945): A contemporary British composer, Rutter’s “Magnificat” is known for its melodious and accessible style. It incorporates elements of Gregorian chant and Latin rhythms to create a unique and popular setting.

The Magnificat in the Context of Power: When the Prayer Was Banned

Mary’s Magnificat is an influential hymn. It extends hope to the underprivileged while striking fear into the hearts of those in power. Why? Because it prophesies a significant transformation – one where the affluent will be toppled and the impoverished elevated.

Picture British India

Visualize British India. The British held the reins, eager to avoid any discord. The Magnificat, with its radical messages, was seen as a potential spark for rebellion. To curb any such possibility, the authorities outlawed its recital in the churches.

Guatemala in the 1980s

Shift your attention to Guatemala during the 1980s. The country’s impoverished population was grappling with hardships, and the government was on edge. The Magnificat, with its vivid declaration of God’s love for the destitute, seemed to threaten to incite calls for justice. In response, the government prohibited its use.

Argentina’s Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo

Lastly, in Argentina, the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo, a group of women whose children had vanished during the turbulent times of war, found solace in the Magnificat. The hymn’s comforting words gave them a sense of hope, but the ruling junta viewed this hope as a risk to their regime, resulting in a ban on the Magnificat.

The Magnificat talks about bringing down the “mighty from their thrones”. It says God has “done great things” and the rich will be “sent away empty”. These are strong words, and they scared people in power.

The Magnificat is one of the largest sources of inspiration for those who seek change. But it’s also seen as a threat by those who want to keep things the way they are. Because Mary’s song, in its simple, beautiful language, talks about a big flip in the world’s order. And that’s why it has been banned in the past.