The Litany of Humility is a powerful prayer for the virtue of humility, asking Jesus to free us from the desire for worldly esteem and the fear of being forgotten. Attributed to Cardinal Rafael Merry del Val, it systematically dismantles pride to make room for God's grace. Ave Audio offers this litany for deep reflection.
This litany was composed by Cardinal Rafael Merry del Val (1865-1930), the Secretary of State for Pope Saint Pius X. He reportedly prayed it daily after celebrating Mass. While a private devotion and not part of the Church's official liturgy like the Roman Missal, its spiritual wisdom is profound. It reflects a deep understanding of the human heart's struggle against pride, which the Catechism of the Catholic Church identifies as a capital sin (CCC 1866).
The Litany of Humility is a spiritual exercise in detachment. It helps the soul conform to Christ, who "emptied himself" (Philippians 2:7). By asking for deliverance from desires for honor and fears of humiliation, the prayer reorients the heart toward God alone. It recognizes that true worth comes not from worldly approval but from God. Humility is the foundation of prayer and a necessary condition for receiving God's grace, as the Catechism teaches (CCC 2559).
This litany is ideal for private devotion, especially when struggling with pride, envy, or sensitivity to criticism. It is a potent tool for a daily examination of conscience or in preparation for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. While it can be prayed anytime, its themes of self-denial and conversion make it particularly fitting during the season of Lent. It helps cultivate the interior disposition needed for authentic spiritual growth.
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