The "Canticle of Mary" or "Magnificat" is sung in the celebration of Evening Prayer each day. The text is taken from
the Gospel according to Luke 1:46-55.
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm,
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children for ever.
This prayer is found in the "Directory for the Ministry and Life of Permanent Deacons Congregation for the Clergy" published February 22, 1998
Prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary
Mary, who as teacher of faith by your obedience to the word of God, has cooperated in a remarkable way with the work of redemption, make the ministry of deacons effective by teaching them to hear the word and to proclaim it faithfully.
Mary, teacher of charity, who by your total openness to God's call has cooperated in bringing to birth all the church's faithful, make the ministry and the life of deacons fruitful by teaching them to give themselves totally to the service of the people of God.
Mary, teacher of prayer, who through your maternal intercession has supported and helped the church from her beginnings, make deacons always attentive to the needs of the faithful by teaching them to come to know the value of prayer.
Mary, teacher of humility, by constantly knowing yourself to be the servant of the Lord you were filled with the Holy Spirit, make deacons docile instruments in Christ's work of redemption by teaching them the greatness of being the least of all.
Mary, teacher of that service which is hidden, who by your everyday and ordinary life filled with
love knew how to cooperate with the salvific plan of God in an exemplary fashion, make deacons
good and faithful servants by teaching them the joy of serving the church with an ardent love.
Amen.
O Virgin Mother,
In the depths of your heart you pondered the Life of the son you brought into the world. Give us
your vision of Jesus and ask the Father to open our hearts, that we may always see his presence in
our lives, and in the power of the Holy Spirit, bring us into the joy and peace of the kingdom,
where Jesus is Lord forever and ever. Amen
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