Canticle of Zechariah

Blessed be the Lord,
The God of Israel;
He has come to His people and set them free.

He has raised up for us a mighty Saviour,
Born of the house of His servant David.

Through His holy prophets He promised of old
That He would save us from our enemies,
From the hands of all who hate us.

He promised to show mercy to our fathers
And to remember His holy Covenant.

This was the oath He swore to our father Abraham:
To set us free from the hands of our enemies,
Free to worship Him without fear,
Holy and righteous in His sight
All the days of our life.

You, My child shall be called
The prophet of the Most High,
For you will go before the Lord to prepare His way,
To give his people knowledge of salvation
By the forgiveness of their sins.

In the tender compassion of our Lord
The dawn from on high shall break upon us,
to shine on those who dwell in darkness
And the shadow of death,
And to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Glory to the Father,
and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning.
is now, and will be forever.

Amen.

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History of Canticle of Zechariah

The Canticle of Zechariah is a Catholic prayer that comes from the Gospel of Luke. It is also known as the “Benedictus” which is the Latin word for “blessed.” The prayer is sung or recited at morning prayer in the Liturgy of the Hours.

The Canticle is named after Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist. According to the Gospel of Luke, Zechariah was struck mute by the angel Gabriel because of his disbelief that his wife Elizabeth could conceive and give birth to a child in old age. When John was born and Zechariah’s tongue was loosened, he praised God with this canticle.

The history of this prayer dates back to the early centuries of the Christian Church. It has been included in Christian liturgy since ancient times and has been set to music by many composers throughout history.

The Canticle of Zechariah is a hymn of praise that gives thanks to God for His goodness and mercy. It proclaims God’s faithfulness to His promises and the coming of the Messiah who will bring salvation to His people. The prayer’s message of hope and trust in God’s providence has made it a beloved part of Catholic liturgy for centuries.

The Canticle reminds us of the importance of faith in God and the power of His grace to transform our lives. As we recite this prayer each morning, we are reminded of God’s constant presence in our lives and His never-ending love for us.