Magnificat. Manuel Cardoso (1566 - 1650).

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unless otherwise stated.

"The Visitation" in the Book of Hours of the Duc de Berry; the Magnificat in Latin.

Les Très Riches Heures du duc de Berry, Folio 59v.

"The Visitation". The Musée Condé, Chantilly, France.

(Wikimedia Commons)

The Magnificat (Latin: [My soul] magnifies) — also known as the Song of Mary or the Canticle of Mary — is a Canticle, frequently sung (or spoken) Liturgically in Christian Church Services. It is one of the eight most ancient Christian Hymns and perhaps the earliest Marian Hymn. Its name comes from the first word of the Latin version of the Canticle's text.

The text of the Canticle is taken directly from the Gospel of Luke (Luke 1:46-55), where it is spoken by the Virgin Mary, upon the occasion of her Visitation to her cousin, Elizabeth. In the narrative, after Mary greets Elizabeth, who is pregnant with the future John the Baptist, the child moves within Elizabeth's womb. When Elizabeth praises Mary for her Faith, Mary sings what is now known as the Magnificat in response.

Within Christianity, the Magnificat is most frequently recited within the Liturgy of the Hours. In Western Christianity, the Magnificat is most often sung or recited during the main evening Prayer Service: Vespers, within Roman Catholicism and Lutheranism, and Evening Prayer (or Evensong) within Anglicanism. In Eastern Christianity, the Magnificat is usually sung at Sunday Matins. Among Protestant groups, the Magnificat may also be sung during worship services.

"Magnificat" 

by Manuel Cardoso (1566 - 1650).

Available on YouTube at

http://youtu.be/FMeNh-Z0DAM.