Litany of Humility (English)

It’s not a prayer for comfort, or for success, or for strength. It’s not a prayer to be remembered, praised, or admired.
The Litany of Humility is a powerful Catholic devotion attributed to Cardinal Rafael Merry del Val, who served as Secretary of State under Pope St. Pius X. It is prayed by those who seek to imitate the humility of Christ, the Savior who emptied Himself, took the form of a servant, and was obedient unto death… even death on a Cross.

Each line of the litany asks for deliverance from pride, ambition, and the fear of rejection.
It challenges our need to be seen, to be heard, and to be approved.
It invites us to take the lowest place and to find peace there.

This prayer was often whispered after Mass by saints and religious alike. Today, it remains one of the most soul-purifying and radical prayers in the Christian life.

Words
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.