Magnificat

The Magnificat (also known as the "Canticle of the Bl. Mary Virgin") is one of three New Testament canticles recognized by most, if not all, Christian denominations. It is the hymn of praise spoken by the Virgin Mary when she visited her cousin Elizabeth when both were pregnant: at her arrival, Elizabeth's child (the future John the Baptist leapt within her womb, a sign interpreted by the women as joy at the arrival of Jesus. At this point, Elizabeth greeted Mary with some of the words that were to become the Hail Mary: "Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb." Then Mary spoke the Magnificat, whose words in two western forms are given here.

Latin version	English (AV)
Magnificat anima mea Dominum,	My soul doth magnify the Lord,
et exsultavit spiritus meus in Deo salvatore meo,	And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
quia respexit humilitatem ancillae suae.	For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden:
Ecce enim ex hoc beatam me dicent omnes generationes,	for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
quia fecit mihi magna,	For he that is mighty hath done to me great things;
qui potens est,	he that is mighty
et sanctum nomen eius,	and holy is his name.
et misericordia eius in progenies et progenies	And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.
timentibus eum.	[that fear him]
Fecit potentiam in brachio suo,	He hath shewed strength with his arm;
dispersit superbos mente cordis sui;	he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
deposuit potentes de sede	He hath put down the mighty from their seats,
et exaltavit humiles;	and exalted them of low degree.
esurientes implevit bonis	He hath filled the hungry with good things;
et divites dimisit inanes.	and the rich he hath sent empty away.
Suscepit Israel puerum suum,	He hath holpen his servant Israel,
recordatus misericordiae,	in remembrance of his mercy;
sicut locutus est ad patres nostros,	As he spake to our fathers,
Abraham et semini eius in saecula.	to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.