In 1980 five women from New Orleans, housewives and mothers, had experienced the Baptism with the Holy Spirit through the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. They were on fire with love for the Lord and for the Blessed Mother and God's word and they wanted to share this with other women. After attending the Protestant "Women's Aglow" breakfasts they were led to begin a Catholic women's group naming it M
agnificat after the prayer Our Blessed Mother says in response to Elizabeth at The Visitation. This breakfast brought in 500 women and that began the adventure that has brought Magnificat to now having over 80 chapters world-wide! Why is Magnificat growing so much? Because Catholic women are hungry for God...they long for a deeper relationship with Him and with other women...the world we live in can be cold and competitive but here, in the warmth of Our lady's Gardens, women find unconditional love, acceptance, joy and healing. It is a conduit for God's grace and mercy! As women come together to share a meal, praise the Lord, and listen to an inspiring testimony of another woman, their hearts are opened to the fact that God Loves Them just the way they are and that He wants to bring healing of their many wounds. After the meals we try to guide women to local prayer groups, healing Masses, conferences and retreats in an effort to build community and thereby build up The Kingdom of God here on earth!
