Magnificat
Mary's song of praise (Luke 1:46–55), part of Vespers.
What it means
The Magnificat is Mary's song of praise from the Gospel of Luke (Luke 1:46–55), named after its opening Latin word "Magnificat" (My soul magnifies). In Christian worship it is one of the fixed liturgical canticles and is traditionally sung at Vespers, the evening prayer service.
Musical use
The text has been set to music countless times since the Middle Ages, first monophonically in Gregorian psalm tones, later polyphonically by composers such as Palestrina, Monteverdi, Bach or Vivaldi, and on into contemporary works. The Magnificat is often divided into several sections setting different verses of the text and may combine choir, soloists and orchestra. It should be distinguished from the Te Deum, another liturgical song of praise with its own, non-biblical text.