The Litany of Humility

02-26-2023Pastor's CornerVery Rev. Robert J. Deehan, VF

St. Teresa of Avila once said, “There is more value in a little study of humility and in a single act of it than in all the knowledge in the world.” Since pride is often at the root of many of our faults and sins, which we strive to overcome during Lent, I invite you to make growth in the virtue of humility a particular focus by praying this prayer attributed to Cardinal Rafael Merry del Val (1865-1930). May this prayer and your efforts to grow in humility make a significant difference in your life and in the lives of those around you.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. O Jesus! Meek and humble of heart, hear me. (After each of the following petitions, respond with, “Deliver me, Jesus.”) From the desire of being esteemed… 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… (After each of the following phrases, respond with, “Jesus grant me the grace to desire it.”) That others may be loved more than I… 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… In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Attributed to Cardinal Rafael Merry del Val (1865-1930)

God bless you!

Fr. Bob