madonna in preghiera, by Albrecht Dürer, 1518, Wikimedia Commons
Today I look into my own heart
and all around me, and I sing the song of Mary.
My life praises the Lord my God,
who is setting me free.
He has remembered me, in my humiliation and distress!
From now on, those who rejected and ignored me
will see me and call me happy,
because of the great things he is doing
in my humble life.
His name is completely different from the other names in this world;
from one generation to another
he was on the side of the oppressed.
As on the day of the Exodus, he is stretching out
his mighty arm to scatter the oppressors
with all their evil plans.
He has brought down mighty kings
from their thrones
and he has lifted up the despised;
and so he will do today.
He has filled the exploited with good things,
And sent the exploiters away with empty hands;
and so he will do today.
His promise to our mothers and fathers remains new and fresh to this day.
Therefore the hope for liberation
which is burning in me
will not be extinguished.
He will remember me, here now and beyond the grave.
Zephania Kameeta, 1945- , Namibia religious and political leader
_________________________
And Mary said:
“My soul glorifies the Lord
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.
His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful
to Abraham and his descendants forever,
just as he promised our ancestors.”
prayer & verse 
