Litany of Humility

It has been a crazy week--there is a lot going on at work and there's a lot going on in our church and neighborhood. Although there is much that I would love to write about, I offer you this week the words of another. This prayer by Rafael Cardinal Merry del Val (1865-1930) was first introduced to me at the solitude retreat a few weeks ago. I have returned to it often since then because I constantly need to be reminded that I am here as a learner: in my neighborhood, my work site, my church, my home, and even on the street going to and from these various places! I am a learner, not considered higher than anyone else. This prayer frees my on an inclination to try to be anything else. Please pray it for me and with me.

Litany of Humility

O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed ... Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being loved ... Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being extolled ... Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being honored ... Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being praised ... Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being preferred to others ... Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being consulted ... Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being approved ... Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being humiliated ... Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being despised ... Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of suffering rebukes ... Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being calumniated ... Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being forgotten ... Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being ridiculed ... Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being wronged ... Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being suspected ... Deliver me, Jesus.
That others may be loved more than I, ... Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be esteemed more than I ... Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That, in the opinion of the world, others may increase and I may decrease ... Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be chosen and I set aside ... Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be praised and I unnoticed ... Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be preferred to me in everything ... Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should … Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.