Ein Gebet fuer den Geburtstag

The Magnificat

My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior;
Because He has regarded the lowliness of His handmaid;
for behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed;
Because He who is mighty has done great things for me,
and Holy is His Name;
And His mercy is from generation to generation on those who fear Him.
He has shown might with His arm,
He has scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart.
He has put down the mighty from their thrones,
and has exalted the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has given help to Israel, His servant, mindful of His mercy
Even as He spoke to our fathers -
to Abraham and to his posterity forever.

I prefer this older translation of the Magnificat. I hope I can maintain "the attitude of gratitude" present in this beautiful prayer--something my mother was able to do right up to her death. Many of the lines above apply only to Mary, Jesus' mother. But many of the lines speak to me--and to all of us.

St. Robert, pray for us.
St. Michael, pray for us.
St. Patrick, pray for us.

Lieber Gott, erbarme Dich unser!