|A series of articles on| |Prayers and devotions| The Magnificat
(Latin: [My soul] magnifies) — also known as the Song of Mary or
the Canticle of Mary — is a canticle frequently sung (or spoken)
liturgically in Christian church services. It is one of the
eight most ancient Christian hymns and perhaps the earliest
Marian hymn. Its name comes from the first word of the Latin
version of the canticle's text. The text of the canticle is
taken directly from the Gospel of Luke ( ) where it is spoken by
the Virgin Mary upon the occasion of her Visitation to her
cousin Elizabeth. In the narrative, after Mary greets Elizabeth,
who is pregnant with the future John the Baptist, the child
moves within Elizabeth's womb. When Elizabeth praises Mary for
her faith, Mary sings what is now known as the Magnificat in
response. Within Christianity, the Magnificat is most frequently
recited within the Liturgy of the Hours. In Western
Christianity, the Magnificat is most often sung or recited
during the main evening prayer service: