What’s a Canticle?

What’s a Canticle?

A canticle (song) is a hymn with scriptural text. There are ten such texts identified in Scripture, three of which are used daily in the Church in the Liturgy of the Hours: the Benedictus of Zechariah (Lk. 1:68-79), the Magnificat of Our Lady (Lk. 1:46-55) and the Nunc Dimittis of Simeon (Lk. 2:29-32).

What is the name of Mary’s song of praise to God?

The beautiful hymn of Luke 1:46-55 is called the Magnificat.

What does “Magnificat” mean?

Magnificat is Latin for “(it) magnifies.” It is taken from the first word in Latin of Luke 1:46, Magnificat anima mea Dominum (My soul magnifies the Lord). The Magnificat is used every day by the Church as a song of praise during Vespers or Evening Prayer.