The Magnificat, the canticle of the Incarnation, recalls to us each day that God has stripped Himself of His glory to clothe Himself in the livery of poor and suffering humanity.
“He raised [Mary] above all others because she declared herself to be the lowest of all creatures. When He made for Himself a dwelling place on earth, it was not in the palaces of kings. He chose poor, humble parents and all that the world disdained in order to cast down its pomp. This was the proper character of divine power in the new alliance: to make its virtue felt by its very weakness … It is when God alone remains great that the souls finds peace.” ~ from Meditations for Advent by Bishop Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet.
This is what Jesus teaches us, hidden with his humble family, with Mary and Joseph, whom he joins to the obscurity of this life because they are very dear to Him. Let us then take our part with them and hide ourselves with Christ.
He is still hidden. He suffers every day because His name is blasphemed and His gospel is mocked, because the hour of his greatest glory has not yet come.
During this canticle, taken from the Gospel, the clergy and people stand, out of respect for the sacred word. As at Mass before the reading of the Gospel, the sign of the cross is made at the first words of Mary’s canticle.
Magnificat in Latin & English
| Magníficat ánima mea Dóminum. | My soul doth magnify the Lord. |
| Et exultávit spíritus meus: in Deo salutári meo. | And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior. |
| Quia respéxit humilitátem ancíllae suae: | Because He hath regarded the humility of His slave: |
| Ecce enim ex hoc beátam me dicent omnes generatiónes. | For behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. |
| Quia fécit mihi mágna qui pótens est: et sánctum nómen eius. | Because He that is mighty hath done great things to me; and holy is His name. |
| Et misericórdia eius in progénies et progénies timéntibus eum. | And His mercy is from generation unto generations, to them that fear Him. |
| Fécit poténtiam in bráchio suo: dispérsit supérbos mente cordis sui. | He hath shewed might in His arm: He hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart |
| Depósuit poténtes de sede: et exaltávit húmiles. | He hath put down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the humble. |
| Esuriéntes implévit bonis: et dívites dimísit inánes. | He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich He hath sent empty away |
| Suscépit Ísrael púerum suum: recordátus misericórdiae suae. | He hath received Israel His servant, being mindful of His mercy: |
| Sicut locútus est ad patres nostros: Ábraham, et sémini eius in saecula. | As He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed for ever. |
| Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto, | Glory be the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, |
| Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, et in sæcula sæculórum. Amen | As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, forever and ever, Amen |
This beautiful canticle of the Incarnation, the Magnificat, each day carries to God the tribute of her gratitude and love. Pope Leo XIII granted an indulgence of 100 days, to be gained by reciting it devoutly and with contrite heart, once a day. (September 20, 1879.)
VIRGÓ SACRÁTA is a Christian mission-driven online resource and shop inspired from the beauty of Catholic faith, tradition, and arts. Our mission is to “Restore All Things to Christ!”, in continuing the legacy of Pope St. Pius X under the patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary. “Who is she that cometh forth as the morning rising, fair as the moon, bright as the sun, terrible as an army set in battle array?” O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee.
