Magnificat

My soul magnifies the Lord It is named after the first word of its first line in Latin (“Magnificat anima mea Dominum,” or “My soul magnifies the Lord”). Elaborate musical settings have been created for the Magnificat. It has been chanted in all eight modes of the plainsong and has been the subject of numerous other settings.

She glorifies God for His power, holiness, and mercy (Luke 1:49–50). Mary looks forward to God transforming the world through the Messiah. The proud will be brought low, and the humble will be lifted up; the hungry will be fed, and the rich will go without (Luke 1:51–53).

Johann Sebastian Bach's Magnificat, BWV 243, is a musical setting of the biblical canticle Magnificat. It is scored for five vocal parts (two sopranos, alto, tenor and bass), and a Baroque orchestra including trumpets and timpani. It is the first major liturgical composition on a Latin text by Bach.

Mary's song is a song of praise. She is not just sharing her thoughts with her cousin. She is saying that the Lord is great, and her spirit is rejoicing with the news that has come to her. Today, Mary's song is called The Magnificat, meaning “my soul magnifies the Lord” in Latin.

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.

The word 'Magnificat' means to magnify, to extol; it means to sing the praises of God. The Magnificat in Luke's gospel is Mary's song of praise to God. Mary acknowledges all that God has done in her life. Mary feels favored, blessed, honored, and raised by God that she is moved to sing the praises of God.

As the day of Christ's birth draws near, our journey through Advent becomes ever more Marian. Indeed, the scripture texts of the last week before Christmas are a liturgical illustration of one of our better known Marianist mottos or catchwords: Per matrem ad Filium.

Mary's Song, also known as the Magnificat and found in Luke 1, speaks of the spirit and the power of God. In this canticle, Mary speaks of how her soul magnifies the Lord and how God regarded the lowly maidservant. She informs us that generations to come will call her blessed.

Mary's song is a powerful picture of a faithful life. She knew Scripture well enough to describe its story, she knew God well enough to describe His character, and she knew His redemptive plan for creation well enough to say “yes” to her part in it. May we all strive, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to do the same.

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.

Mary's hymn of praise can be divided into three parts: Her praise for what God has done for her personally (verses 46b-49). Her praise for God's mercy to the poor and disadvantaged (verses 50-53). Her praise for God's faithfulness to Abraham's descendants, the nation of Israel (verses 54-55).

The reference to “the Lord” addresses God as the sovereign Master and Ruler of the world. This address reveals May's approach to God is that of a humble servant. Mary repeats her praise as her “spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” She praises God for who he is and for what he has done to save in/through Christ, her son.