Magnificat
MAGNIFICAT is a ministry to Catholic women. Its purpose is to help Catholic women open more and more to the Holy Spirit through a deeper commitment of their lives to Jesus as Lord and to impart the Holy Spirit to one another by their love, service, and sharing the- good news of salvation. It thus provides opportunities which will foster a desire to grow in holiness.
MAGNIFICAT was begun by a group of Catholic women from the Archdiocese of New Orleans who observed a need among Catholic women for a faith-sharing experience in a relaxed social setting. With the encouragement of Archbishop Philip M. Hannan and Bishop Stanley J. Ott, its first function, a prayer breakfast, took place on October 7, 1981. MAGNIFICAT is a private association of the Christian faithful, approved by the Archbishop of New Orleans and subject to his vigilance and jurisdiction in accord with the norm of canon 305.2 of the 1983 Code of Canon Law. It is incorporated in the State of Louisiana.
It was born out of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal and has been nurtured by it.
MAGNIFICAT (pronounced Mag-nif'-e-cot) is the verb in the Latin phrase, "Magnificat anima mea Dominum" - "My soul magnifies the Lord." These-words recorded in Luke 1:46 are the beginning of Mary's response to Elizabeth's joyful greeting. The entire scene of the Visitation is the inspiration for this ministry, which adopts the name of Mary's hymn of praise and the -spirit of this biblical encounter as its own. Following the example of Mary and Elizabeth, this woman-to-woman ministry within the Roman Catholic Church attempts to generate a lively-faith in God and His action in our lives along with a love for Mary and the Church.
MAGNIFICAT ministers to those women in and out of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal whose faith in the person of Jesus Christ has allowed them to believe in the activity of God's spirit in their lives. It also has great appeal to those women who may be struggling with faith or who have lost touch with the Church. It can be a valuable evangelistic tool.
THE MAGNIFICAT MEAL is the essential function of MAGNIFICAT.
This two-to-three hour gathering takes place at least four times a year, providing opportunity for:
Service Team
Three or five women willing to assume responsibility for administration, and to remain faithful to the purposes of MAGNIFICAT.
Spiritual Advisor
A person approved by the local ecclesiastical authority of the Roman Catholic Church willing to function as the liaison to the local church.
Other areas of responsibility:
Individuals needed to serve in tasks necessary for a MAGNIFICAT Meal, such as publicity, ticket sales, hospitality, decorations, music.
Membership is of a spiritual nature. There are NO dues; however, local chapters must be self-sufficient. Operational expenses are covered by ticket sales and subsidized by free-will donations.
Each local chapter is under the vigilance and jurisdiction of the bishop in whose diocese it functions. The chapter needs to make the necessary arrangements with the diocesan bishop for this ministry to begin.
While this ministry is not to exist without the Meal, other functions may be sponsored in an attempt to bring together women from various segments of the Church to recognize the touch of God in their lives. These include:
Bible study/share groups, Intercessory prayer groups, Retreats
Wisdom and experience indicate, however, that a chapter needs to be established in the area of the Meal before embarking on extended programs.
If you would like more information about establishing a MAGNIFICAT chapter in your area, write to:
Or email Magnificat at magnificatcst@aol.com
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