What is 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 through their love, service, and sharing the good news of
salvation. It thus provides opportunities which will foster a desire to grow in holiness.
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 through their love, service, and sharing the good news of
salvation. It thus provides opportunities which will foster a desire to grow in holiness.
When Did It Start?
MAGNIFICAT was begun by a group of Catholic women from the Archdiocese of New Orleans
who observed the 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, whose statutes were originally
approved by the Archdiocese of New Orleans and are in accord with the norm of Canon 305.2 of the
1983 Code of Canon Law. While MAGNIFICAT began under the auspices of the Archdiocese of
New Orleans and was first incorporated in the State of Louisiana, each local chapter functions with
permission of the local ordinary and is incorporated in its respective state.
It was born out of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal and has been nurtured by it.
who observed the 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, whose statutes were originally
approved by the Archdiocese of New Orleans and are in accord with the norm of Canon 305.2 of the
1983 Code of Canon Law. While MAGNIFICAT began under the auspices of the Archdiocese of
New Orleans and was first incorporated in the State of Louisiana, each local chapter functions with
permission of the local ordinary and is incorporated in its respective state.
It was born out of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal and has been nurtured by it.
Why MAGNIFICAT?
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 toe 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.
Dominum" - "My soul magnifies the Lord." These words recorded in Luke 1:46 are the beginning of
Mary's response toe 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.
About Us
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Magnificat San Fernando Valley
A Ministry to Catholic Women
To Whom Does It Minister?
What Are Our Objectives?
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.
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.
To encourage growth in holiness through:
 | Daily personal prayer |
| Knowing the love of God the Father |
| Commitment to Jesus Christ as Lord |
| Frequent participation in the sacraments of the Holy Eucharist and Reconciliation |
| Study and daily reading of the Sacred Scriptures |
| Love for and loyalty to the Catholic Church, as expressed through her teaching authority, | |
| the pope, and bishops in communion with him |
| Serving the needs of the Church and the world |
| Love and devotion to Mary, Mother and model |
| Reverence for the sanctity of life |
| Fostering the works of intercessory prayer |
| Promoting unity | |
Fellowship: Offering women a chance to share and enjoy one another in an atmosphere of
God's presence and love.
Praise: A period of time in communal praise and worship, centers the participants on the
Lord; it remains open to the Charismatic gifts while being sensitive to the varied
backgrounds of all present.
Personal testimony: One woman or man's personal expression of God's action in her or his life.
This highlight is, in fact, the reason many people come.
Intercessory prayer: A time of prayer for the needs of the Church and those present.
God's presence and love.
Praise: A period of time in communal praise and worship, centers the participants on the
Lord; it remains open to the Charismatic gifts while being sensitive to the varied
backgrounds of all present.
Personal testimony: One woman or man's personal expression of God's action in her or his life.
This highlight is, in fact, the reason many people come.
Intercessory prayer: A time of prayer for the needs of the Church and those present.
How We Minister
Formation of a Local Chapter
Other Functions
Who is Responsible?
Considering Starting A Chapter?
NOTE: The name and logo of Magnificat (R) are registered trademarks and may not be reproduced without a license
agreement from the Central Service Team.
(c) 1989 Magnificat Central Service Team, Inc.
agreement from the Central Service Team.
(c) 1989 Magnificat Central Service Team, Inc.
If you would like more information about establishing a MAGNIFICAT Chapter in your area, the
Central Service team will mail you a formation packet to assist in the first steps of your journey.
Contact the Central Service team by e-mail, phone, fax, or standard mail and include the following
information:
your name
address
daytime telephone
e-mail address (if applicable)
(Arch)diocese to which you belong
E-mail inquiry
magnificatcst@aol.com
visit www.magnificat-ministry.org
Phone (office hours M-F 9:30AM - 4:30PM Central Standard Time)
Office: 504-828-6279
Fax: 504-828-1060
Mail
MAGNIFICAT
c/o Chapter Formation
1629 Metairie Road - Suite 3
Metairie, Louisiana 70005-3926
Central Service team will mail you a formation packet to assist in the first steps of your journey.
Contact the Central Service team by e-mail, phone, fax, or standard mail and include the following
information:
your name
address
daytime telephone
e-mail address (if applicable)
(Arch)diocese to which you belong
E-mail inquiry
magnificatcst@aol.com
visit www.magnificat-ministry.org
Phone (office hours M-F 9:30AM - 4:30PM Central Standard Time)
Office: 504-828-6279
Fax: 504-828-1060
MAGNIFICAT
c/o Chapter Formation
1629 Metairie Road - Suite 3
Metairie, Louisiana 70005-3926
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.
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.
Membership is of a spiritual nature. There are NO dues, however, local chapters must be
self-sufficient. Operational expenses are covered by meal reservations and subsidized by free-will
donations.
self-sufficient. Operational expenses are covered by meal reservations 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.
The chapter needs to make the necessary arrangements with the diocesan bishop for this ministry to
begin.
Special guidelines are required to form a chapter. Though the step-by-step process may take time,
the eternal rewards are well worth it! These are the core individuals a chapter requires in order to
fulfill MAGNIFICAT's objectives.
SERVICE TEAM: Three or five women willing to assume responsibility for administration and
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, reservations, hospitality, decorations, music.
the eternal rewards are well worth it! These are the core individuals a chapter requires in order to
fulfill MAGNIFICAT's objectives.
SERVICE TEAM: Three or five women willing to assume responsibility for administration and
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, reservations, hospitality, decorations, music.
