It is St. Luke's Gospel that provides us with the texts of three canticles that are prayed each day as part of The Divine Office: 1) the Magnificat or Canticle of Mary (Luke 1:46:55) prayed at Vespers, 2) the Benedictus or Canticle of Zechariah (Luke 1:68-79) prayed at Lauds and 3) the Nunc dimittis or Canticle of Simeon (Luke 2:29-32) prayed at Compline.
The Magnificat is one of the eight most ancient Christian hymns and is 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 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.
The Benedictus was the song of thanksgiving uttered by Zechariah on the occasion of the birth of his son, John the Baptist. As with the Magnificat, the Benedictus' name comes from the first word of the Latin version of the canticle's text.
The Nunc dimittis likewise is so named from the beginning of the Latin text. Simeon was in the temple in Jerusalem when Mary and Joseph came to the temple to present their first born son to the Lord. Simeon had been promised by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Messiah.
The next time you pray one of these canticles, remember to say a prayer of thanksgiving for St. Luke who under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit penned them.
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