The Litany of Humility is a searching, honest prayer to be set free from the desires and fears that feed our pride, and to grow in the humility of the heart of Jesus.
The Litany
O Jesus, meek and humble of heart, hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed, deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being loved,
From the desire of being extolled,
From the desire of being honored,
From the desire of being praised,
From the desire of being preferred to others,
From the desire of being consulted,
From the desire of being approved,
From the fear of being humiliated,
From the fear of being despised,
From the fear of suffering rebukes,
From the fear of being calumniated,
From the fear of being forgotten,
From the fear of being ridiculed,
From the fear of being wronged,
From the fear of being suspected,
That others may be loved more than I, Lord, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be esteemed more than I,
That, in the opinion of the world, others may increase and I may decrease,
That others may be chosen and I set aside,
That others may be praised and I unnoticed,
That others may be preferred to me in everything,
That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should,
When to Pray This Prayer
In examination of conscience, when wounded pride stirs, and whenever you long for the humble heart of Christ.
About This Prayer
This litany was a favorite of Cardinal Rafael Merry del Val (1865 to 1930), Secretary of State to Pope St Pius X, who prayed it daily after Mass.
Related Prayers
- The Suscipe of St Ignatius
- The Universal Prayer of Pope Clement XI
- Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
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Text: Litany of Humility, Cardinal Rafael Merry del Val (public domain).