Praying During the Year of Faith

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops published a list of prayers that can help us strengthen our prayer lives during the Advent season and throughout the Year of Faith. One of these prayers is the Magnificat. The Bishops say, “The Canticle of Mary in the Gospel of Luke (1:46-55) gives a glimpse of the faith of someone who trusted God so much that he entered the world through her.”

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 remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our father,
to Abraham and his children forever. 

In this prayer, the Mother of God praises the Lord for his mighty deeds and for remembering the promises He made to her Jewish people. She thanks Him for His mercy in sending a Savior through her, His “lowly servant.”

This prayer, in all of its hope-filled beauty, reminds us of the loving power of God. It reminds us to trust in Him, for He is a God who loved us into existence and who has protected His people throughout the ages. We are His people! We are worthy of His promises!

The Church prays the Magnificat every evening during the hour for Vespers. If you do not recite the Canticle of Mary each day, the a few days before Christmas might be a good time to start. How blessed we are, to be able to sing the praises of the Lord with Mary and her Church!