1. The Canticle of Mary (Magnificant) Luke 1: 46-55 My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior. For he has looked upon his handmaids lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed. The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him. He has shown might with his arm, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart. He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly. The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped Israel his servant, remembering his mercy, according to his promise to our fathers, to Abraham and to his descendants forever. 2. Mary anticipated, in the mystery of the incarnation, the Churchs Eucharistic faith. Mary became in some way a tabernacle in which the Son of God still invisible to our human gaze, allowed himself to be adored by Elizabeth, radiating his light as it were through the eyes and the voice of Mary. Understanding terminology: Incarnation is the Word made flesh or God becoming man in Jesus Christ and dwelling among us. All quotes are taken from the encyclical, Eucharist and Church, by St. John Paul II 3. The Eucharist, like the Canticle of Mary, is first and foremost praise and thanksgiving. My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour. Mary praises God through Jesus, but she also praises him in Jesus and with Jesus. This is itself the true Eucharistic attitude. Understanding terminology: The word, Eucharist comes from the Greek and means thanksgiving. 4. We give glory to God in our lives; we become a living sacrifice of praise. Mary recalls the wonders worked by God in salvation historyand proclaims the the wonder that surpasses them all, the redemptive incarnation. Understanding terminology: Redemption refers to the act of redeeming or atoning or saving or being saved from the slavery or bondage of sin, evil, and death. 5. A Pledge of Future Glory Every time the Son of God comes again to us in the poverty of the sacramental signs of bread and wine, the seeds of that new history wherein the mighty are put down from their thrones and those of low degree are exalted take root in the world. Mary sings of the new heavens and the new earth. 6. A Eucharistic Spirituality The Magnificat expresses Marys spiritualitythe Eucharist has been given to us so that our life, like that of Mary, may become completely a Magnificat. Understanding terminology: The word, Magnificat is Latin for My soul magnifies.