The Magnificat

The Magnificat is the hymn of praise proclaimed by the Virgin Mary during her visit to her cousin Elizabeth (Luke 1:46–55). It is the greatest Marian prayer in Scripture and one of the oldest canticles of the Church — prayed at Vespers (Evening Prayer) every day in the Liturgy of the Hours (CCC 722).

The Text

"My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name... He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty" (Luke 1:46–53).

The Spirit of the Magnificat

The Magnificat is entirely about God, not about Mary. She praises God for what he has done — choosing the lowly, filling the hungry, scattering the proud. It is a hymn of the anawim (the poor of Yahweh) — those who depend entirely on God. Mary is the supreme example of this radical dependence, and her song is the song of all who trust God completely (CCC 722).

The Magnificat and the Beatitudes

The Magnificat anticipates the Beatitudes: the lowly are exalted, the hungry filled, the proud scattered. Mary's hymn reveals the character of the Kingdom of God — the same reversal of worldly values that Jesus will proclaim in the Sermon on the Mount (CCC 722).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Magnificat based on the Old Testament? Yes — it is saturated with Old Testament allusions, especially Hannah's prayer in 1 Samuel 2:1–10 and numerous Psalms. Mary's prayer flows from her deep knowledge of Israel's Scriptures. It is a beautiful example of how the New Testament fulfills the Old (CCC 722).