What Is the Magnificat Prayer
The Magnificat is Mary's song of praise, spoken during her visit to her cousin Elizabeth while they were both pregnant, Mary with Jesus and Elizabeth with John the Baptist (Luke 1:46-55). Elizabeth greets Mary as "blessed among women," and Mary responds by praising God for what He is doing through her and for His faithfulness to Israel across generations. The Church calls this prayer the Magnificat because that is the first word of its Latin translation: "my soul magnifies the Lord." Mary did not compose it for herself alone.
For centuries, the Church has prayed it daily as part of Evening Prayer (Vespers) in the Liturgy of the Hours, making it one of the most-prayed passages of Scripture in Christian history. Below is the prayer itself, its background, and how to pray it.
The Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55)
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. His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. 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. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.
A Short Prayer Before Praying the Magnificat
Lord, like Mary, let my soul magnify You today — not my worries, not my plans, but You. Amen.
A Prayer for Mary's Trust
Father, Mary praised You while still carrying an uncertain future — an unmarried pregnancy, a journey ahead, a role she didn't fully understand yet. Give me that same trust: to praise You before I can see how a hard situation resolves. Amen.
A Closing Prayer
Lord, thank You for Mary's example of praise in the middle of the unknown. Let her song teach my own heart to magnify You today, in whatever I'm carrying. Amen.
Scripture to pray
My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior...— Luke 1:46-55
Hannah's prayer of praise after the birth of Samuel — the Old Testament song many scholars see as the pattern Mary's own praise echoes.— 1 Samuel 2:1-10
Frequently asked questions
What is the Magnificat?
The Magnificat is Mary's prayer of praise from Luke 1:46-55, spoken during her visit to Elizabeth. It praises God for His mercy, His care for the lowly, and His faithfulness to His promises across generations.
Why is it called the Magnificat?
"Magnificat" is the first word of the prayer in Latin — "Magnificat anima mea Dominum," or "My soul magnifies the Lord." The Latin opening word became the prayer's traditional title.
When is the Magnificat prayed?
Catholics pray the Magnificat every day as part of Evening Prayer (Vespers) in the Liturgy of the Hours, a tradition that goes back centuries. Many parishes and religious communities sing or recite it aloud each evening.
What does the Magnificat mean for someone praying it today?
It's a model for praising God before a situation is resolved — Mary sang it while still facing an uncertain road ahead. It also centers God's care for the lowly and the hungry, which many find speaks directly to hard seasons of waiting, need, or uncertainty.