Prayer Resources · Litanies
Litany of Humility
A demanding prayer for freedom from disordered approval, fear, comparison, and self-importance
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The Litany of Humility asks Jesus to free the heart from the need to be praised, preferred, consulted, or spared humiliation. Its goal is not self-hatred but freedom to love without making the self the center.
The Prayer
O Jesus, meek and humble of heart, hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed, loved, extolled, honored, praised, preferred, consulted, and approved, deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being humiliated, despised, rebuked, slandered, forgotten, ridiculed, wronged, or suspected, deliver me, Jesus.
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; Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
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; Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it. Amen.
Important Catholic Boundary
Humility does not require tolerating abuse, denying real gifts, refusing rightful responsibility, or pretending false accusations are true. It is truthful self-knowledge before God and freedom from disordered self-exaltation.
How to Understand the Difficult Lines
The litany targets the demand that others secure our identity. A person can accept a role, defend the vulnerable, correct falsehood, and exercise authority while remaining detached from applause.
The petition that another become holier is not a wish to become less holy. It ends by asking to become exactly as holy as God wills.
Pray It Slowly
- Notice which petition creates resistance.
- Ask what fear or comparison lies beneath that resistance.
- Bring the wound to Jesus without condemning yourself.
- Choose one hidden act of service that seeks no recognition.
A Catholic Practice Plan
Use the litany once a week rather than compulsively. On other days, repeat only: ‘Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like unto Thine.’
Sources and Editorial Notes
This page is self-contained. These open sources are supplied for verification and deeper study.
- EWTN: Litany of Humility
Accessible text of the traditional devotion. - Catechism of the Catholic Church: The Virtues
Official teaching on human and theological virtues and growth in holiness.
Traditional devotional text; pastoral explanations are original to CatholicG33k.