Editorial

Let a ‘Litany of Humility’ guide you in today’s chaotic world

It isn’t every day that our universal shepherd offers advice to “all those who exercise responsibilities in the Church.”

But, with an assist to the late Cardinal Rafael Merry del Val, that is what Pope Leo XIV did at a meeting on Oct. 13 with people attending a conference on the cardinal’s life and work.

And we believe the Holy Father’s words of advice are something not only meant for Church leaders at the recent meeting, but something that all of us should strive to follow in living out our vocations.

A Spaniard who was born to a noble family in 1865 and died in 1930, Cardinal Merry del Val served as apostolic delegate to Canada in the late 1800s. He later served at the Vatican as secretary of state and as prefect of what is now known as the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith.

Despite the positions of prominence he held in the Church, the cardinal “… knew that the only true triumph is to be able to say every day: ‘Lord, I am where you want me to be, doing what you entrust to me today,’ ” Pope Leo noted.

Cardinal Merry del Val penned what became known as the “Litany of Humility,” a prayer asking for deliverance from pride, vanity and self-seeking, and for the grace to embrace humility as Christ did. It was a prayer he is said to have recited every day after celebrating Mass.

Humility is something that seems to be lacking in today’s world, where an “it’s all about me” attitude is so prevalent in so many walks of life. In our call as missionary disciples, we need to more selfless, not selfish, as we do our part in building up the body of Christ.

If we are to be true witnesses of faith, we must let Christ’s presence shine through us in all we say and do. As we read in the Gospel of John, “He must increase; I must decrease” (Jn 3:30).

Whether you exercise responsibilities in the Church or are living out a vocation to ordained ministry, consecrated life or marriage—or are still discerning your vocation—we encourage everyone to take Cardinal Merry del Val’s “Litany of Humility” to heart.

Pray it as often as possible, with persistence, endurance and without getting weary. Pray that your petitions bear fruit.

Together, let us pray:

O Jesus, meek and humble of heart,
Hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being loved,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being extolled,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being honored,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being praised,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being preferred to others,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being consulted,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being approved,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being humiliated,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being despised,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of suffering rebukes,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being calumniated,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being forgotten,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being ridiculed,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being wronged,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being suspected,
Deliver me, O 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 go 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.
Amen.

—Mike Krokos