The Litany of Humility: Full Prayer, History, and Meaning

The Litany of Humility is widely considered one of the most challenging—and transformative—prayers in the Catholic tradition. Unlike many prayers that ask for external blessings, this litany is focused on the purification of the soul. It targets the roots of pride, the disordered desire for worldly validation, and the paralyzing fear of being overlooked.

For the modern Catholic, it’s an antidote to a culture that emphasizes self-promotion, calling us back to the freedom found in initiating Christ’s humility.

The Litany of Humility (Full Text)

O Jesus, meek and humble of heart, Hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed,
Deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of being loved…
From the desire of being extolled…
From the desire of being honored…
From the desire of being praised…
From the desire of being preferred to others…
From the desire of being consulted…
From the desire of being approved…

From the fear of being humiliated,
Deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of being despised…
From the fear of suffering rebukes…
From the fear of being calumniated…
From the fear of being forgotten…
From the fear of being ridiculed…
From the fear of being wronged…
From the fear of being suspected…

That others may be loved more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

That others may be esteemed more than I…
That, in the opinion of the world, others may increase, and I may decrease…
That others may be chosen and I set aside…
That others may be praised and I go 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…

The Origins: Cardinal Rafael Merry del Val

Lapres & Lavergne, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

While the prayer’s exact origins are sometimes debated, it is most famously attributed to Cardinal Rafael Merry del Val (1865–1930). Born into Spanish nobility and eventually serving as the Secretary of State to Pope Saint Pius X, the Cardinal was a man of immense worldly influence.

Despite his high-ranking position in the Vatican, those who knew him described a man of profound hiddenness. It is said he prayed this litany every day after celebrating Holy Mass to remain grounded in his identity as a servant of God rather than a prince of the Church. His life proved that one can hold great authority while remaining entirely detached from the “opinion of the world.”

Understanding the Three Movements of the Prayer

To pray the Litany of Humility effectively, it helps to understand how it systematically targets our inflated ego through three distinct movements.

1. Surrender Desires

The first section addresses our disorderly attachments. We often believe our worth comes from being “esteemed,” “consulted,” or “approved.” By asking Jesus to deliver us from these desires, we aren’t saying these things are inherently evil, but rather that our dependence on them is a barrier to God’s grace.

2. Delivery from Fears

This is often the most painful part of the prayer. It addresses our social survival instincts. The fear of being forgotten or suspected often drives us to act out of character or to hide our faith. When we pray for deliverance from these fears, we are asking for the courage to be “fools for Christ” in the eyes of the world.

3. The Grace to Step Aside

The final section is a petition for Holy Charity. It asks for the grace to actually want others to succeed and be holier than ourselves. This is the pinnacle of the spiritual life: a heart so full of God’s love that it no longer needs to claim the first place in anything.

Why is this Prayer So Hard to Pray?

Many Catholics admit to “skipping” lines in this litany because they aren’t yet ready to want to be forgotten or set aside. This resistance is natural. However, the spiritual fruit of this prayer is True Freedom. When you no longer fear the opinion of others, you are finally free to follow the Holy Spirit wherever He leads.

Practical Tips for Your Devotion

• The “One Line” Rule: If the whole prayer is too heavy, choose just one line (e.g., “From the desire of being approved, Deliver me, Jesus”) and use it as an aspiration throughout your day.
• Pair with Scripture: Read the “Christological Hymn” in Philippians 2:5-11 before praying the litany to see how Christ modeled this humility first.
• Check Your Heart: Use the litany as an examination of conscience at night. Which line did you struggle with most today?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it a sin to want to be loved?

No. God created us with a need for love. This prayer targets the disorderly desire to be loved by the world more than by God, or using the love of others to feed our vanity. God is the true answer to our need for love, and searching for it in any created thing above Him will ultimately lead us to sin.

How often should I pray the Litany of Humility?

Many find it helpful to pray it daily during Lent or once a week (perhaps on Fridays) to honor the Humility of Christ on the Cross.