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Chapter 3 - Prayers of the Holy Rosary & Marian Devotions

10. Canticle of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Magnificat)

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The Song of Mary – A Prayer of Praise and Humility

The Canticle of the Blessed Virgin Mary—commonly known as the Magnificat—is one of the most exalted and beautiful prayers found in Sacred Scripture. Taken from the Gospel of St. Luke (1:46–55), it is Our Lady’s own inspired canticle of praise to God, uttered when she visited her cousin St. Elizabeth. In these few verses, the Blessed Virgin proclaims the greatness of Almighty God, His mercy, His justice, and His fidelity to His promises. This prayer is a profound testimony to the humility, faith, and exalted vocation of the Mother of God, who alone was found worthy to bear the Incarnate Word.

For traditional Catholics who hold fast to the unchanging Faith taught before the disastrous Vatican II council, the Magnificat is not just a poetic hymn—it is a declaration of eternal truths that the Modernist infiltrators have worked to obscure. It reflects the authentic Catholic understanding of Our Lady's unique role in salvation history—something the post-Vatican II counterfeit “church” has diluted through ecumenical confusion and false inclusivity. Praying the Magnificat daily keeps us united with the Church of all time, the Church that reveres Mary as the destroyer of heresies and the Queen of Heaven and Earth.

1. The Magnificat

Latin:

Magníficat ánima mea Dóminum,
et exsultávit spíritus meus in Deo salutári meo,
quia respéxit humilitátem ancíllæ suæ:
ecce enim ex hoc beátam me dicent omnes generatiónes,
quia fecit mihi magna qui potens est,
et sanctum nomen eius,
et misericórdia eius a progénie in progénies timéntibus eum.
Fecit poténtiam in bráchio suo,
dispérsit supérbos mente cordis sui.
Depósuit poténtes de sede,
et exaltávit húmiles.
Esuriéntes implévit bonis,
et dívites dimísit inánes.
Suscépit Israël púerum suum,
recordátus misericórdiæ suæ,
sicut locútus est ad patres nostros,
Ábraham et sémini eius in sǽcula.

Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, et in sǽcula sæculórum. Amen.

English Translation:

My soul doth magnify the Lord,
And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.
Because He hath regarded the humility of His handmaid:
For behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
Because He that is mighty hath done great things for me,
And holy is His name.
And His mercy is from generation unto generations, to them that fear Him.
He hath showed might in His arm:
He hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart.
He hath put down the mighty from their seat,
And hath exalted the humble.
He hath filled the hungry with good things,
And the rich He hath sent empty away.
He hath received Israel His servant,
Being mindful of His mercy:
As He spoke to our fathers,
To Abraham and to his seed forever.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

📌 Key Notes:

  1. Biblical Origin – The Magnificat comes from Luke 1:46-55, spoken by Our Lady when she visited St. Elizabeth after the Annunciation.

  2. Prayer of Praise & Humility – It expresses Mary’s gratitude and humility, acknowledging God’s power, mercy, and justice in raising the lowly and casting down the proud.

  3. Used in the Liturgy – The Church prays the Magnificat daily at Vespers in the Divine Office, and it is often sung in Gregorian chant on feast days.

  4. Marian Significance – The Magnificat fulfills the prophecy “all generations shall call me blessed”, emphasizing Our Lady’s role in salvation history and her special place in God’s plan.

2. Pronunciation Guide

Here is a word-by-word pronunciation breakdown using Ecclesiastical Latin:

Magnificat Pronunciation Guide

Magnificat Pronunciation Guide

Latin Phonetic Pronunciation Meaning (English)
Magníficat ánima mea DóminumMahg-NEE-fee-caht AH-nee-mah MAY-ah DOH-mee-noomMy soul doth magnify the Lord
et exsultávit spíritus meus in Deo salutári meoet eks-ool-TAH-veet SPEE-ree-toos MAY-oos een DAY-oh sah-loo-TAH-ree MAY-ohAnd my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior
quia respéxit humilitátem ancíllæ suæKWEE-ah reh-SPEK-seet hoo-mee-lee-TAH-tem ahn-CHEEL-leh SOO-ehBecause He hath regarded the humility of His handmaid
ecce enim ex hoc beátam me dicent omnes generatiónesEK-cheh EH-neem eks hoke beh-AH-tahm may DEE-chent OHM-ness geh-neh-rah-TEE-oh-nessFor behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed
quia fecit mihi magna qui potens estKWEE-ah FEH-chit MEE-hee MAHG-nah kwee POH-tens estBecause He that is mighty hath done great things for me
et sanctum nomen eiuset SAHNK-toom NOH-men EH-yoosAnd holy is His name
et misericórdia eius a progénie in progénies timéntibus eumet mee-seh-ree-KOHR-dee-ah EH-yoos ah pro-GEH-nee-eh een pro-GEH-nee-ess tee-MEN-tee-boos EH-oomAnd His mercy is from generation unto generations, to them that fear Him
Fecit poténtiam in bráchio suoFEH-chit poh-TEN-tee-ahm een BRAH-kee-oh SOO-ohHe hath showed might in His arm
dispérsit supérbos mente cordis suidee-SPAIR-seet soo-PAIR-bohs MEN-teh KOR-dees SOO-eeHe hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart
Depósuit poténtes de sede, et exaltávit húmilesDeh-POH-soo-eet poh-TEN-tess deh SEH-deh, et eks-ahl-TAH-veet HOO-mee-lesHe hath put down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the humble
Esuriéntes implévit bonis, et dívites dimísit inánesEh-soo-ree-EN-tess eem-PLAY-veet BOH-nees, et DEE-vee-tess dee-MEE-seet ee-NAH-nessHe hath filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He hath sent empty away
Suscépit Israël púerum suum, recordátus misericórdiæ suæSoo-SHEH-peet EES-rah-EL POO-eh-room SOO-oom, reh-kor-DAH-toos mee-seh-ree-KOHR-dee-eh SOO-ehHe hath received Israel His servant, being mindful of His mercy
sicut locútus est ad patres nostros, Ábraham et sémini eius in sǽculaSEE-koot lo-KOO-toos est ahd PAH-tress NOH-stross, AH-brah-hahm et SEH-mee-nee EH-yoos een SEH-koo-lahAs He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever
Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui SanctoGLOH-ree-ah PAH-tree, et FEE-lee-oh, et SPEE-ree-too-ee SAHNK-tohGlory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost
Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, et in sǽcula sæculórum. Amen.SEE-koot EH-raht een preen-CHEE-pee-oh, et noonk, et SEM-pair, et een SEH-koo-lah seh-koo-LOH-room. AH-menAs it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

📌 Key Pronunciation Notes:

  • Exsultávit (eks-ool-TAH-veet) – The "x" is pronounced as "ks", not "gz".

  • Respéxit (reh-SPEK-seet) – The "x" is pronounced as "ks", and the "é" is stressed.

  • Ancíllæ (ahn-CHEEL-leh) – The "c" before "i" is soft, like "ch" in "church".

  • Generatiónes (geh-neh-rah-TEE-oh-ness) – The "ti" before a vowel is pronounced "tsee", not "tee".

  • Misericórdia (mee-seh-ree-KOHR-dee-ah) – The "c" before "o" is hard, like "k".

  • Bráchio (BRAH-kee-oh) – The "ch" is pronounced like "k", not "ch" in "church".

  • Dispérsit (dee-SPAIR-seet) – The "s" is always soft (like "s" in "soft"), never "z".

  • Depósuit (deh-POH-soo-eet) – The "su" is pronounced "soo", not "shoo".

  • Dívites (DEE-vee-tess) – The "v" is pronounced like an English "v", not "w".

  • Sémini (SEH-mee-nee) – The "é" is stressed, so it is not pronounced as "seh-MEE-nee".

✅ Practice Tip: Slowly say each word aloud several times, ensuring correct pronunciation.

3. Videos

LATIN: Magníficat ánima mea Dóminum, et exsultávit spíritus meus in Deo salutári meo, quia respéxit humilitátem ancíllæ suæ: ecce enim ex hoc beátam me dicent omnes generatiónes, quia fecit mihi magna qui potens est, et sanctum nomen eius, et misericórdia eius a progénie in progénies timéntibus eum. Fecit poténtiam in bráchio suo, dispérsit supérbos mente cordis sui. Depósuit poténtes de sede, et exaltávit húmiles. Esuriéntes implévit bonis, et dívites dimísit inánes. Suscépit Israël púerum suum, recordátus misericórdiæ suæ, sicut locútus est ad patres nostros, Ábraham et sémini eius in sǽcula. Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto. Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, et in sǽcula sæculórum. Amen.

PHONETIC: Mahg-NEE-fee-caht AH-nee-mah MAY-ah DOH-mee-noom, et eks-ool-TAH-veet SPEE-ree-toos MAY-oos een DAY-oh sah-loo-TAH-ree MAY-oh, KWEE-ah reh-SPEK-seet hoo-mee-lee-TAH-tem ahn-CHEEL-leh SOO-eh, EK-cheh EH-neem eks hoke beh-AH-tahm may DEE-chent OHM-ness geh-neh-rah-TEE-oh-ness, KWEE-ah FEH-chit MEE-hee MAHG-nah kwee POH-tens est, et SAHNK-toom NOH-men EH-yoos, et mee-seh-ree-KOHR-dee-ah EH-yoos ah pro-GEH-nee-eh een pro-GEH-nee-ess tee-MEN-tee-boos EH-oom, FEH-chit poh-TEN-tee-ahm een BRAH-kee-oh SOO-oh, dee-SPAIR-seet soo-PAIR-bohs MEN-teh KOR-dees SOO-ee, Deh-POH-soo-eet poh-TEN-tess deh SEH-deh, et eks-ahl-TAH-veet HOO-mee-les, Eh-soo-ree-EN-tess eem-PLAY-veet BOH-nees, et DEE-vee-tess dee-MEE-seet ee-NAH-ness, Soo-SHEH-peet EES-rah-EL POO-eh-room SOO-oom, reh-kor-DAH-toos mee-seh-ree-KOHR-dee-eh SOO-eh, SEE-koot lo-KOO-toos est ahd PAH-tress NOH-stross, AH-brah-hahm et SEH-mee-nee EH-yoos een SEH-koo-lah, GLOH-ree-ah PAH-tree, et FEE-lee-oh, et SPEE-ree-too-ee SAHNK-toh, SEE-koot EH-raht een preen-CHEE-pee-oh, et noonk, et SEM-pair, et een SEH-koo-lah seh-koo-LOH-room. AH-men.

LATIN: Magníficat ánima mea Dóminum, et exsultávit spíritus meus in Deo salutári meo, quia respéxit humilitátem ancíllæ suæ: ecce enim ex hoc beátam me dicent omnes generatiónes, quia fecit mihi magna qui potens est, et sanctum nomen eius, et misericórdia eius a progénie in progénies timéntibus eum. Fecit poténtiam in bráchio suo, dispérsit supérbos mente cordis sui. Depósuit poténtes de sede, et exaltávit húmiles. Esuriéntes implévit bonis, et dívites dimísit inánes. Suscépit Israël púerum suum, recordátus misericórdiæ suæ, sicut locútus est ad patres nostros, Ábraham et sémini eius in sǽcula. Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto. Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, et in sǽcula sæculórum. Amen. PHONETIC: Mahg-NEE-fee-caht AH-nee-mah MAY-ah DOH-mee-noom, et eks-ool-TAH-veet SPEE-ree-toos MAY-oos een DAY-oh sah-loo-TAH-ree MAY-oh, KWEE-ah reh-SPEK-seet hoo-mee-lee-TAH-tem ahn-CHEEL-leh SOO-eh, EK-cheh EH-neem eks hoke beh-AH-tahm may DEE-chent OHM-ness geh-neh-rah-TEE-oh-ness, KWEE-ah FEH-chit MEE-hee MAHG-nah kwee POH-tens est, et SAHNK-toom NOH-men EH-yoos, et mee-seh-ree-KOHR-dee-ah EH-yoos ah pro-GEH-nee-eh een pro-GEH-nee-ess tee-MEN-tee-boos EH-oom, FEH-chit poh-TEN-tee-ahm een BRAH-kee-oh SOO-oh, dee-SPAIR-seet soo-PAIR-bohs MEN-teh KOR-dees SOO-ee, Deh-POH-soo-eet poh-TEN-tess deh SEH-deh, et eks-ahl-TAH-veet HOO-mee-les, Eh-soo-ree-EN-tess eem-PLAY-veet BOH-nees, et DEE-vee-tess dee-MEE-seet ee-NAH-ness, Soo-SHEH-peet EES-rah-EL POO-eh-room SOO-oom, reh-kor-DAH-toos mee-seh-ree-KOHR-dee-eh SOO-eh, SEE-koot lo-KOO-toos est ahd PAH-tress NOH-stross, AH-brah-hahm et SEH-mee-nee EH-yoos een SEH-koo-lah, GLOH-ree-ah PAH-tree, et FEE-lee-oh, et SPEE-ree-too-ee SAHNK-toh, SEE-koot EH-raht een preen-CHEE-pee-oh, et noonk, et SEM-pair, et een SEH-koo-lah seh-koo-LOH-room. AH-men.

4. How to Integrate the Magnificat Into Daily Life

  1. Pray the Magnificat During Evening Prayer (Vespers) – Since the Magnificat is traditionally recited at Vespers, make it part of your evening prayers. If possible, pray it in Latin to connect with the Church’s tradition.

  2. Use the Magnificat as a Prayer of Thanksgiving – After receiving Holy Communion, after confession, or whenever you feel grateful, recite the Magnificat to thank God for His blessings.

  3. Include It in Marian Devotions – After praying the Rosary, add the Magnificat to deepen your devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

  4. Sing or Chant the Magnificat – Listening to a Gregorian chant version or singing it yourself will help internalize the prayer and make it more spiritually enriching.

  5. Meditate on the Words Daily – Read and reflect on a single verse each day, considering how Mary’s humility and gratitude can inspire your own spiritual life.

📌 When reciting the Magnificat, show reverence and devotion by:

  • Bowing your head at the name of "Jesus" in the prayer.

  • Making the Sign of the Cross at the Gloria Patri.

  • Praying with hands joined or open in supplication to imitate Our Lady’s humility.

  • Lighting a candle when praying it in the evening, symbolizing Mary as the Light-Bearer (Lux Dei).

5. Lesson Summary

The Magnificat is the Blessed Virgin Mary's inspired hymn of praise, proclaiming God’s mercy, justice, and power. It reflects the humility and exaltation of Mary, chosen by God to bear His Son. This prayer stands as a timeless testament to authentic Catholic doctrine—especially the honor due to Our Lady, which the post-Vatican II sect has diminished. It is a powerful weapon in the spiritual life and a mark of true devotion.

6. Final Thought – Why Does This Prayer Matter?

Why does the Magnificat matter today, especially for those who adhere to the true Catholic Faith amidst the great apostasy ushered in by Vatican II? Because in this canticle, we encounter not only the holy humility of the Blessed Virgin Mary, but also the unchanging truths of our Faith that the modern world and the false Vatican II “Church” have betrayed. Our Lady’s Magnificat affirms God's justice and His sovereign will to exalt the humble and cast down the proud—words that find fresh relevance today as the pride of man and the arrogance of false shepherds continue to lead souls astray.

In a time when Our Lady is often reduced to a mere “model disciple” by the Novus Ordo hierarchy—rather than honored as the Immaculate Queen of Heaven and Mediatrix of All Graces—the Magnificat restores her rightful place. It is a direct contradiction to the modernist mindset that seeks to downplay her role in God’s plan of salvation. Her words, inspired by the Holy Ghost, proclaim that all generations shall call her blessed—yet this truth is frequently silenced or reinterpreted in the post-conciliar counterfeit religion.

For those who remain faithful to the Church of all time, the Magnificat is a safeguard against heresy, a declaration of divine order, and a beacon of hope. It reminds us that God's promises are unbreakable, that He honors humility, and that He has indeed chosen the lowly handmaid to be the Mother of the Savior. In her, we see the antidote to the rebellion and pride that defines our era.

To pray the Magnificat is to unite oneself with the true Church, the Communion of Saints, and the Blessed Virgin herself. It is to place oneself under her maternal mantle, to resist the errors of the Modernist sect, and to proclaim with confidence that the Lord's mercy is from generation to generation upon those who fear Him. It is a profession of Faith, a cry of hope, and a song of victory for those who remain within the true fold of the Catholic Church, now eclipsed but never extinguished.

“Magníficat ánima mea Dóminum…”

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