Magnificat was begun by a group of Catholic women from the Archdiocese of New Orleans who observed a need among Catholic women for a faith-sharing experience in a relaxed social setting. With the encouragement of Archbishop Philip M. Hannan and Bishop Stanley J. Ott, then Auxiliary Bishop of New Orleans, its first function, a prayer breakfast, took place on October 7, 1981.

Magnificat is a private association of the Christian faithful, whose statutes were originally approved by the Archdiocese of New Orleans and are in accord with the norm of Canon 305.2 of the 1983 Code of Canon Law. While Magnificat began under the auspices of the Archdiocese of New Orleans and was first incorporated in the State of Louisiana, each local chapter functions with permission of the local ordinary and is incorporated in its respective state.

The Central Service Team is the highest governing body of Magnificat, and its headquarters is located withiin the Archdiocese of New Orleans.  The Central Service Team coordinates the expansion of Magnificat, preserves the integrity of the Magnificat ministry, and fosters unity among the local chapters.  See www.magnificat-ministry.org for more information.

It was born out of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal and has been nurtured by it. 

The Magnificat Ministry provides opportunities for Catholic woment o grow in personal holiness.  It is a primary objective of this ministry to assist Catholic women to open more and more to the Holy Spirit through a deeper commitment of their lives to Jesus as Lord and to impart the Holy Spirit to one another by their love, service, and sharing the good news of salvation.