Bono inspired by Our Lady's Magnificat


Bono says U2 Song inspired by Mary

U2 Song "Magnificent" from new album "No line on the Horizon" inspired by the Blessed Virgin Mary

In a recent Rolling Stone interview Brian Hiatt quotes Bono as saying "Magnificent was inspired by the Magnificat, a passage from the Gospel of Luke in the voice of the Virgin Mary that was previously set to music by Bach. "There's this theme running through the album of surrender and devotion and all the things I find really difficult," Bono says. "All music for me is worship of one kind or another."

Dick Staub of www.DickStaub.com writes "Magnificent" recalls the prayer of the Virgin Mary in the Gospel of Luke: "Magnificent, Magnificent, I was born, I was born to be with you in this space and time. I was born, I was born to sing for you. I didn't have a choice but to lift you up and sing whatever song you wanted me to. I give you back my voice from the womb my first cry, it was a joyful noise ... Only love, only love can leave such a mark, but only love, only love can heal such a scar."

[Her model of faith IS Magnificent! - LUV seeing Bono kiss his rosary]

The Magnificat [Latin: magnifies], also called the Canticle of Mary, is recorded in the Gospel of Luke (1:46-55). It is the Virgin Mary's joyous prayer in response to her cousin Elizabeth's greeting (Luke 1: 41-45). This great hymn forms part of the Church's prayer in the Divine Office (Liturgy of the Hours). When it is recited as part of the Divine Office, it is followed by the Gloria Patri ("Glory be"). The traditional sung Magnificat is Latin plainchant. One of the hymn's most glorious musical renditions is the version of the Magnificat by J.S. Bach.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church describes the Magnificat as "the song both of the Mother of God and of the Church" and explains this prayer's significance:

Mary's prayer is revealed to us at the dawning of the fullness of time. Before the Incarnation of the Son of God, and before the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, her prayer cooperates in a unique way with the Father's plan of loving kindness: at the Annunciation, for Christ's conception; at Pentecost, for the formation of the Church, His Body. In the faith of His humble handmaid, the Gift of God found the acceptance He had awaited from the beginning of time. She whom the Almighty made "full of grace" responds by offering her whole being: "Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be [done] to me according to Thy word". "Fiat": this is Christian prayer: to be wholly Gods' because He is wholly ours.



The Prayer
My soul magnifies the Lord,
And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
For He has regarded the low estate of His handmaiden,
For behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with His arm:
He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He has put down the mighty from their thrones,
and exalted those of low degree.
He has filled the hungry with good things;
and the rich He has sent empty away.
He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy;
As He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to His posterity forever.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen

[Only the indwelling of the Holy Spirit could effect such elegant prose from a poor, young, village girl...Our Lady was the first tabernacle holding Our Lord inside her for us to worship]

10 comments:

Catholicfitmom said...

No way! Are you serious! So cool. I love u2! Father Grimm would love to know that! God bless!

Anonymous said...

Bono confuses me. I love U2, but I don't think that Bono is actually Catholic. He had a protestant mother and Catholic father-and has broad knowledge of both faith traditions. The rosary he is pictured with is one that BJPII gave to him. Bono hung it on his mic during a spotlight tribute to the Pope when he died. His music has so many Catholic references and he embraces a lot of things Catholic, but has always denied that he is Catholic "only." I have been searching in vain to see if he has finally swam the tiber, but still cannot find anything. But, no matter. His music is fantastic and the Catholic references make listening to it an awesome experience! Very cool song. Thanks so much for posting this!!

Sarah said...

Wow! That is interesting! Cool, too!

I have an award, well two awards, at my blog for you! =) Yeah!! You may have received one of them in the past; I don't know ... But I so enjoy your blog, so I'm giving it to you anyway! The other one is brand new!!

Allison said...

Hi Anonymous!

I too have always been fascinated by the spirituality of U2's music. I even bought 2 books on it years ago. I think it's what draws me to them and Bono.

In our lifetime, I think Bono will win the nobel peace prize for his humanitarian efforts. I believe that his search for Truth and goodness can ONLY lead him to the Catholic Church.

The song certainly is stuck in my head and Mary ONLY leads to her Son, the bridegroom of the Catholic Church.

Mary, Help of Christians, pray for Bono.

Anonymous said...

This is sooo awesome! I love the song and U2. Thanks for sharing.

(You have an Honest Scrap award at my blog too---we just love you!)

regan said...

this was cool. and i think like many stars, he might be confused. but perhaps like you say, the goodness and truth will lead him home.

congrats on your awards..you are great and we do love you! thanks for all you do!

Jamie Jo said...

Wow, that is so interesting!!!

Thank you for sharing, he is being led that's for sure!

Sarah - Kala said...

Bono has the DESIRE. And, I think the FIRE to keep on truckin'. I say he's Catholic, but doesn't know it yet. Yes, we need to pray for him.

I have a rosary that PJPII gave to a priest who gave it to me . . . this priest was very good friends with the late Pope. He said about the rosary that it is "just a thing", but to pray it and if I ever lose it, well, God wanted it to go to someone else. The intention was to PRAY IT DAILY. Also, to give it to the first of my children who become a religious (either of the three) or a priest (either boy).

PJPII continues to bless all of us today. What a legacy! I'm sure Bono loved him immensely . . . many non Catholics did.

I loved him as both.

Andy Rogers said...

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I also read some of your
posts and I find it very helpful.

Allison said...

Thanks for visiting Andy!

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