The Magnificat
The Magnificat
It is the Virgin Mary’s song of joy when she visited her relative Elizabeth. The Church prays it every evening at Evening Prayer.
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.
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 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 forever. Amen.
Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Appendix, “Common Prayers” (vatican.va), USA version · Luke 1:46-55
What the Bible says
Luke 1:46-55
46And Mary said: My soul doth magnify the Lord. 47And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. 48Because he hath regarded the humility of his handmaid; for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. 49Because he that is mighty, hath done great things to me; and holy is his name. 50And his mercy is from generation unto generations, to them that fear him. 51He hath shewed might in his arm: he hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart. 52He hath put down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the humble. 53He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. 54He hath received Israel his servant, being mindful of his mercy: 55As he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed for ever.
Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.