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I first encountered the Magnificat in the crowded basement level of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC during the March for Life in 2002. Someone had brought boxes of the January and February 2002 issues to the Shrine, and the crowd there just gobbled them up. I was lucky to get copies, given the amount of people that go through there during that one day. Unfortunately, I went a whole year without seeing it again until this year's March for Life, when I saw that the Shrine's bookstore were selling them, so I bought the February and March issues. The March issue's cover is particularly beautiful. On it is a painting of St. Joseph and the Infant Jesus by Bartolomeo Murillo from the Pushkin Museum in Moscow. I couldn't find a picture of the painting online, but to get an idea of the artist's style, here's a painting by him of the Virgin Mary with the Child Jesus.

Last summer, I discovered the Divine Mercy Devotion and as a result, my prayer life, which is something which I had always struggled with, is a lot better. I got into the "habit" of making my day prayerful. The Magnificat magazine has also helped me establish this way of life in my own life. I also found out that the local Catholic gift shop sells the Magnificat, so I can get copies of it there, so before I make the commitment to subscribe to it (which I eventually plan to do), I can at least get copies there. The publishers of Magnificat will also send you a complimentary copy if you call them or go to their site (unfortunately, some of their links seem to be down on their page at the moment, so you'll have to call them).

I know Mr. Weigel's article seems like a free advertisement for the publication, but I think it represents a true and heartfelt viewpoint about Magnificat. I'll vouch for it myself! Get a hold of a copy today! You won't be disappointed. :-)

Oh, if you're a lapsed Catholic, or didn't get a great Catholic education when you were younger, the name "Magnificat" comes from the first word in the Latin text of the prayer which is known as the Canticle of Mary (or simply, the Magnificat), which is found in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 1, verses 46-55. This is the text of the Magnificat from the New American Bible:

46 And Mary said: "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
47 my spirit rejoices in God my savior.
48 For he has looked upon his handmaid's lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed.
49 The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
50 His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him.
51 He has shown might with his arm, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart.
52 He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly.
53 The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty.
54 He has helped Israel his servant, remembering his mercy,
55 according to his promise to our fathers, to Abraham and to his descendants forever."

To read more about the Canticle of Mary, go to New Advent.

A big PING for a great article by George Weigel. Your comments would be appreciated. :-)

It's the last thing I read at night too. It's like opening the doors to a Cathedral, the paper is so fine as to echo a century back, the print - classic easy on the eye and charlemagne influenced and the sacred artwork with commentary, a sight for sore eyes...and then there is the Scripture and the Holy Mass, the lives of the Saints and the prayers. The entire book, every month, is a work of art. This month my copy didn't arrive and that happens now and then but I have saved the past years editions.

Thanks for the heads up. I think I had a copy of an issue some years ago, and remember keeping it around because I really liked the cover. I hope to reacquaint myself with The Magnificant. Especially, since you endorsed it.

BTTT!

You can get a free Copy of Magnicat through this web site: Catholic Freebies (The web site also has a lot of other free Catholic stuff) That's how I was introduced to Magnificat.