Litany of Humility in Latin

The Litany of Humility is attributed to Cardinal Rafael Merry del Val, who was Secretary of State to Pope St. Pius X.

This heartfelt Litany is especially appropriate for recitation during Lent when we are manfully trying to conquer our pride and nurture the virtue of humility.

It is part of the prayers of the Auxilium Christianorum association, an apostolate dedicated to ensuring that Catholics take seriously their obligation to engage in spiritual warfare whilst living on the earth. The Litany can also be prayed for nine consecutive days as a novena.

This Latin translation is taken from the Auxilium Christianorum handbook.

Litania Humilitatis

O Jesu, mitis et humilis corde, exaudi me.

A desiderio, ut amer, libera me Domine.

A desiderio, ut exalter, libera me Domine.

A desiderio, ut honorer, libera me Domine.

A desiderio, ut lauder, libera me Domine.

A desiderio, ut aliis praeterear, libera me Domine.

A desiderio, ut consular, libera me Domine.

A desiderio, ut approber, libera me Domine.

A timore, ne humilier, libera me Domine.

A timore, ne spernar, libera me Domine.

A timore, ne contemnar, libera me Domine.

A timore, ne calumniam feram, libera me Domine.

A timore, ne oblivioni tradar, libera me Domine.

A timore, ne irridear, libera me Domine.

A timore, ne iniuriam accipiam, libera me Domine.

A timore, ne suspiciar, libera me Domine.

Ut magis alii amentur quam ego, Iesu, da mihi gratiam ita desiderandi.

Ut plus alii aestimentur quam ego, Iesu, da mihi gratiam ita desiderandi.

Ut alii extollantur in mundi existimatione, ego autem minuar, Iesu, da mihi gratiam ita desiderandi.

Ut alii eligantur, ego autem praeterear, Iesu, da mihi gratiam ita desiderandi.

Ut alii mihi in omnibus rebus praeferantur, Iesu, da mihi gratiam ita desiderandi.

Ut alii me, dum sanctus fieri debeam, sanctiores sint, Iesu, da mihi gratiam ita desiderandi.

NOTE: for tips on Ecclesiastical Latin pronunciation click here.

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Litany of Humility in English

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.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 

Amen.

IMAGE SOURCE: “Humility” by Tadeusz Gorecki, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons/Portrait of Merry del Val – National Portrait Gallery, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons