Chapter 5 - Prayers of Humility & Preparation for Confession & Communion
Conquering Pride - Embracing True Humility
The Litany of Humility, attributed to Cardinal Rafael Merry del Val, Secretary of State under Pope St. Pius X, is a profound expression of the spirit of Christ crucified, echoing the Gospel call to die to self so that Christ may live in us. This powerful prayer is particularly vital for Catholics striving to remain faithful to the True Church amid the great apostasy that has followed the Second Vatican Council—a council which, under the guise of aggiornamento (updating), gave birth to a counterfeit religion that usurped the name "Catholic" while embracing modernist heresies condemned by previous popes. In our current time of eclipse, when the visible structures of what most consider the Catholic Church promote error and novelty, this litany stands as a bastion of eternal truth, reminding us of the humility of Our Lord and the virtue so often ignored in today’s prideful and self-exalting world. It is through humility—not self-esteem or worldly recognition—that we conform ourselves to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and share in the triumph of the Cross. This prayer is a weapon for faithful Catholics who reject the novelties of the Vatican II sect and seek to remain steadfast in the traditions and doctrines handed down from the Apostles.
1. Litánia Humilitatis
Latin:
Dómine Iesu, mitis et húmilis corde, exáudi me.
A timóre neglécti, líbera me, Iesu.
A timóre despécti, líbera me, Iesu.
A timóre redárgutionis, líbera me, Iesu.
A timóre obliviónis, líbera me, Iesu.
A timóre iniúriæ, líbera me, Iesu.
A timóre calúmniæ, líbera me, Iesu.
Ut améntur alii plus quam ego, Iesu, da mihi gratiam desiderándi id.
Ut aestiméntur alii supra me, Iesu, da mihi gratiam desiderándi id.
Ut amíci mei crescant in honóre, et ego mínuar, Iesu, da mihi gratiam desiderándi id.
Ut probéntur alii, et ego innítar in tenebris, Iesu, da mihi gratiam desiderándi id.
Ut álii ad vóluntatem suam praeíre valeant, Iesu, da mihi gratiam desiderándi id.
Ut álii sanctióres fiant quam ego, dummodo ego sanctus fiam, Iesu, da mihi gratiam desiderándi id.
Dómine Iesu, da mihi gratiam desiderándi id.
English Translation:
O Jesus, meek and humble of heart, hear me.
From the fear of being neglected, deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being despised, deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being rebuked, deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being forgotten, deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being wronged, deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being slandered, deliver me, 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 my friends may increase in honor, and I 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 preferred to me in all things, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may become holier than I, provided that I become as holy as I should, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
Lord Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
📌 Key Notes:
A Deeply Challenging Prayer – Calls for a radical detachment from pride, vanity, and human respect.
A Rebuke to the Sin of Pride – The root of Satan’s rebellion and modern apostasy.
Necessary for Spiritual Growth – True sanctity cannot exist without humility.
A Weapon Against the Spirit of the World – Rejects the false desire for status, approval, and recognition.
A Model of Christ’s Own Humility – Imitates Jesus, who humbled Himself even to the Cross.
Opposes Vatican II’s Exaltation of Man – The modernist Novus Ordo church promotes a man-centered theology, whereas this prayer reminds us that only Christ is to be glorified.
2. Pronunciation Guide
Here is a word-by-word pronunciation breakdown using Ecclesiastical Latin:
Litany of Humility - Pronunciation Guide
| Latin Phrase | Phonetic Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Dómine Iesu, mitis et húmilis Corde, audi me. | DOH-mee-neh YAY-soo, MEE-tees et HOO-mee-lees KOR-deh, OW-dee meh. | O Jesus, meek and humble of heart, hear me. |
| A desidério esse estimátum, líbera me, Iesu. | Ah deh-see-DAIR-ee-oh EHS-seh es-tee-MAH-toom, LEE-beh-rah meh, YAY-soo. | From the desire of being esteemed, deliver me, Jesus. |
| A desidério esse dilectum, líbera me, Iesu. | Ah deh-see-DAIR-ee-oh EHS-seh dee-LEHK-toom, LEE-beh-rah meh, YAY-soo. | From the desire of being loved, deliver me, Jesus. |
| A desidério esse laudátum, líbera me, Iesu. | Ah deh-see-DAIR-ee-oh EHS-seh lau-DAH-toom, LEE-beh-rah meh, YAY-soo. | From the desire of being praised, deliver me, Jesus. |
| A desidério esse honorátum, líbera me, Iesu. | Ah deh-see-DAIR-ee-oh EHS-seh oh-noh-RAH-toom, LEE-beh-rah meh, YAY-soo. | From the desire of being honored, deliver me, Jesus. |
| A timóre esse despéctum, líbera me, Iesu. | Ah tee-MOH-reh EHS-seh deh-SPEHK-toom, LEE-beh-rah meh, YAY-soo. | From the fear of being despised, deliver me, Jesus. |
| A timóre esse humiliátum, líbera me, Iesu. | Ah tee-MOH-reh EHS-seh hoo-mee-lee-AH-toom, LEE-beh-rah meh, YAY-soo. | From the fear of being humiliated, deliver me, Jesus. |
| Ut álii sint amáti magis quam ego, Iesu, da mihi grátiam desideráre. | Oot AH-lee-ee seent ah-MAH-tee MAH-gees KWAHM EH-go, YAY-soo, DAH MEE-hee GRAH-tsyahm deh-see-deh-RAH-reh. | That others may be loved more than I, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it. |
| Ut álii sint estímatí magis quam ego, Iesu, da mihi grátiam desideráre. | Oot AH-lee-ee seent es-tee-MAH-tee MAH-gees KWAHM EH-go, YAY-soo, DAH MEE-hee GRAH-tsyahm deh-see-deh-RAH-reh. | That others may be esteemed more than I, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it. |
| Ut álii crescant in opinióne, et ego decrescam, Iesu, da mihi grátiam desideráre. | Oot AH-lee-ee KREHS-kahnt een oh-pee-nee-OH-neh, et EH-go deh-KREHS-kahm, YAY-soo, DAH MEE-hee GRAH-tsyahm deh-see-deh-RAH-reh. | That in the opinion of the world, others may increase and I may decrease, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it. |
| Ut álii sint laudáti et ego incognítus, Iesu, da mihi grátiam desideráre. | Oot AH-lee-ee seent lau-DAH-tee et EH-go een-koh-NYEE-toos, YAY-soo, DAH MEE-hee GRAH-tsyahm deh-see-deh-RAH-reh. | That others may be praised and I unnoticed, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it. |
| Ut álii sint præférri mihi in ómnibus, Iesu, da mihi grátiam desideráre. | Oot AH-lee-ee seent prae-FEHR-ree MEE-hee een OHM-nee-boos, YAY-soo, DAH MEE-hee GRAH-tsyahm deh-see-deh-RAH-reh. | That others may be preferred to me in all things, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it. |
📌 Key Pronunciation Notes:
"Dómine Iesu" – DOH-mee-neh YAY-soo, not "Jee-zus" (use Latin pronunciation).
"Humilis" – HOO-mee-lees, not "HUH-mil-is" (Latin "h" is usually silent).
"Desiderio" – deh-see-DAIR-ee-oh, stress on "DAIR".
"Laudátum" – lau-DAH-toom, with a clear "AH" in the second syllable.
"Timóre" – tee-MOH-reh, stress on "MOH".
"Opinióne" – oh-pee-nee-OH-neh, soft "nee-OH" in the middle.
"Praeferri" – prae-FEHR-ree, with a clear "FEHR" sound.
3. Videos
LATIN: Dómine Iesu, mitis et húmilis corde, exáudi me. A timóre neglécti, líbera me, Iesu. A timóre despécti, líbera me, Iesu. A timóre redárgutionis, líbera me, Iesu. A timóre obliviónis, líbera me, Iesu. A timóre iniúriæ, líbera me, Iesu. A timóre calúmniæ, líbera me, Iesu. Ut améntur alii plus quam ego, Iesu, da mihi gratiam desiderándi id. Ut aestiméntur alii supra me, Iesu, da mihi gratiam desiderándi id. Ut amíci mei crescant in honóre, et ego mínuar, Iesu, da mihi gratiam desiderándi id. Ut probéntur alii, et ego innítar in tenebris, Iesu, da mihi gratiam desiderándi id. Ut álii ad vóluntatem suam praeíre valeant, Iesu, da mihi gratiam desiderándi id. Ut álii sanctióres fiant quam ego, dummodo ego sanctus fiam, Iesu, da mihi gratiam desiderándi id. Dómine Iesu, da mihi gratiam desiderándi id.
PHONETIC: DOH-mee-neh YAY-soo, MEE-tees et HOO-mee-lees KOR-deh, OW-dee meh. Ah deh-see-DAIR-ee-oh EHS-seh es-tee-MAH-toom, LEE-beh-rah meh, YAY-soo. Ah deh-see-DAIR-ee-oh EHS-seh dee-LEHK-toom, LEE-beh-rah meh, YAY-soo. Ah deh-see-DAIR-ee-oh EHS-seh lau-DAH-toom, LEE-beh-rah meh, YAY-soo. Ah deh-see-DAIR-ee-oh EHS-seh oh-noh-RAH-toom, LEE-beh-rah meh, YAY-soo. Ah deh-see-DAIR-ee-oh EHS-seh prae-feh-REHN-doom, LEE-beh-rah meh, YAY-soo. Ah deh-see-DAIR-ee-oh EHS-seh kohn-sool-TAH-toom, LEE-beh-rah meh, YAY-soo. Ah deh-see-DAIR-ee-oh EHS-seh ah-proh-BAH-toom, LEE-beh-rah meh, YAY-soo. Ah tee-MOH-reh EHS-seh deh-SPEHK-toom, LEE-beh-rah meh, YAY-soo. Ah tee-MOH-reh EHS-seh hoo-mee-lee-AH-toom, LEE-beh-rah meh, YAY-soo. Ah tee-MOH-reh EHS-seh reh-pool-SAH-toom, LEE-beh-rah meh, YAY-soo. Ah tee-MOH-reh EHS-seh kah-loo-nee-AH-toom, LEE-beh-rah meh, YAY-soo. Ah tee-MOH-reh EHS-seh oh-blee-vee-SKAH-toom, LEE-beh-rah meh, YAY-soo. Ah tee-MOH-reh EHS-seh deh-REE-soom, LEE-beh-rah meh, YAY-soo. Ah tee-MOH-reh EHS-seh soo-spee-KAH-toom, LEE-beh-rah meh, YAY-soo. Oot AH-lee-ee seent ah-MAH-tee MAH-gees KWAHM EH-go, YAY-soo, DAH MEE-hee GRAH-tsyahm deh-see-deh-RAH-reh. Oot AH-lee-ee seent es-tee-MAH-tee MAH-gees KWAHM EH-go, YAY-soo, DAH MEE-hee GRAH-tsyahm deh-see-deh-RAH-reh. Oot AH-lee-ee KREHS-kahnt een oh-pee-nee-OH-neh, et EH-go deh-KREHS-kahm, YAY-soo, DAH MEE-hee GRAH-tsyahm deh-see-deh-RAH-reh. Oot AH-lee-ee seent lau-DAH-tee et EH-go een-koh-NYEE-toos, YAY-soo, DAH MEE-hee GRAH-tsyahm deh-see-deh-RAH-reh. Oot AH-lee-ee seent prae-FEHR-ree MEE-hee een OHM-nee-boos, YAY-soo, DAH MEE-hee GRAH-tsyahm deh-see-deh-RAH-reh.
LATIN: Dómine Iesu, mitis et húmilis corde, exáudi me. A timóre neglécti, líbera me, Iesu. A timóre despécti, líbera me, Iesu. A timóre redárgutionis, líbera me, Iesu. A timóre obliviónis, líbera me, Iesu. A timóre iniúriæ, líbera me, Iesu. A timóre calúmniæ, líbera me, Iesu. Ut améntur alii plus quam ego, Iesu, da mihi gratiam desiderándi id. Ut aestiméntur alii supra me, Iesu, da mihi gratiam desiderándi id. Ut amíci mei crescant in honóre, et ego mínuar, Iesu, da mihi gratiam desiderándi id. Ut probéntur alii, et ego innítar in tenebris, Iesu, da mihi gratiam desiderándi id. Ut álii ad vóluntatem suam praeíre valeant, Iesu, da mihi gratiam desiderándi id. Ut álii sanctióres fiant quam ego, dummodo ego sanctus fiam, Iesu, da mihi gratiam desiderándi id. Dómine Iesu, da mihi gratiam desiderándi id. PHONETIC: DOH-mee-neh YAY-soo, MEE-tees et HOO-mee-lees KOR-deh, OW-dee meh. Ah deh-see-DAIR-ee-oh EHS-seh es-tee-MAH-toom, LEE-beh-rah meh, YAY-soo. Ah deh-see-DAIR-ee-oh EHS-seh dee-LEHK-toom, LEE-beh-rah meh, YAY-soo. Ah deh-see-DAIR-ee-oh EHS-seh lau-DAH-toom, LEE-beh-rah meh, YAY-soo. Ah deh-see-DAIR-ee-oh EHS-seh oh-noh-RAH-toom, LEE-beh-rah meh, YAY-soo. Ah deh-see-DAIR-ee-oh EHS-seh prae-feh-REHN-doom, LEE-beh-rah meh, YAY-soo. Ah deh-see-DAIR-ee-oh EHS-seh kohn-sool-TAH-toom, LEE-beh-rah meh, YAY-soo. Ah deh-see-DAIR-ee-oh EHS-seh ah-proh-BAH-toom, LEE-beh-rah meh, YAY-soo. Ah tee-MOH-reh EHS-seh deh-SPEHK-toom, LEE-beh-rah meh, YAY-soo. Ah tee-MOH-reh EHS-seh hoo-mee-lee-AH-toom, LEE-beh-rah meh, YAY-soo. Ah tee-MOH-reh EHS-seh reh-pool-SAH-toom, LEE-beh-rah meh, YAY-soo. Ah tee-MOH-reh EHS-seh kah-loo-nee-AH-toom, LEE-beh-rah meh, YAY-soo. Ah tee-MOH-reh EHS-seh oh-blee-vee-SKAH-toom, LEE-beh-rah meh, YAY-soo. Ah tee-MOH-reh EHS-seh deh-REE-soom, LEE-beh-rah meh, YAY-soo. Ah tee-MOH-reh EHS-seh soo-spee-KAH-toom, LEE-beh-rah meh, YAY-soo. Oot AH-lee-ee seent ah-MAH-tee MAH-gees KWAHM EH-go, YAY-soo, DAH MEE-hee GRAH-tsyahm deh-see-deh-RAH-reh. Oot AH-lee-ee seent es-tee-MAH-tee MAH-gees KWAHM EH-go, YAY-soo, DAH MEE-hee GRAH-tsyahm deh-see-deh-RAH-reh. Oot AH-lee-ee KREHS-kahnt een oh-pee-nee-OH-neh, et EH-go deh-KREHS-kahm, YAY-soo, DAH MEE-hee GRAH-tsyahm deh-see-deh-RAH-reh. Oot AH-lee-ee seent lau-DAH-tee et EH-go een-koh-NYEE-toos, YAY-soo, DAH MEE-hee GRAH-tsyahm deh-see-deh-RAH-reh. Oot AH-lee-ee seent prae-FEHR-ree MEE-hee een OHM-nee-boos, YAY-soo, DAH MEE-hee GRAH-tsyahm deh-see-deh-RAH-reh.
4. How to Integrate the Prayer Into Daily Prayer
Pray It Daily for Spiritual Growth – A powerful morning or night prayer to cultivate detachment from pride.
Use It as an Examination of Conscience – Helps reveal hidden pride and vanity.
Pray It Before Making Decisions – Ensures our motives are rooted in humility, not ambition.
Include It in the Rosary – Especially during the Sorrowful Mysteries, which show Christ’s perfect humility.
Teach It to Others – A vital prayer to help combat pride and worldliness in modern Catholics.
📌 When Reciting the Prayer, Show Reverence and Devotion By:
Praying on Your Knees – A sign of humility before God.
Pausing on Each Petition – Let the words sink into the heart.
Reciting It Before a Crucifix – Meditate on Christ’s perfect humility in His Passion.
Offering It as a Sacrifice – Especially in moments of pride, temptation, or when seeking recognition.
5. Lesson Summary
The Litany of Humility is a spiritual exercise in self-abnegation, drawing the soul away from attachment to honor, praise, and human respect. It teaches us to desire obscurity over recognition and to accept humiliation with the heart of Christ. In an age where pride reigns—even within the structures of the false post-Vatican II church—this litany anchors us in true Catholic virtue.
6. Final Thought – Why Does This Prayer Matter?
Humility is not merely a personal virtue—it is the foundation of sanctity, the bedrock upon which all other virtues are built. Without humility, grace finds no dwelling place. In the present crisis of the Church, where the pseudo-magisterium of the Vatican II sect elevates man, dialogue, and ecumenism above the glory of God and the immutable truths of the Faith, the virtue of humility has been tragically eclipsed. The modern "Catholic" world promotes self-love, personal affirmation, and human respect, rather than the traditional path of penance, mortification, and conformity to the crucified Christ.
Why does this matter? Because only through genuine humility can we recognize the truth of our times—that the Conciliar Church is not the Catholic Church, but a counterfeit religion prophesied in Scripture and warned against by saints and popes alike. Only through humility can we detach ourselves from the approval of the world and cling to the narrow path of salvation, often misunderstood and despised. Humility allows us to accept that we may be isolated, ridiculed, or forgotten by the world—even by family and friends—for remaining faithful to the True Church of Christ, now operating in obscurity.
The Litany of Humility forms saints precisely because it unites the soul with Christ in His Passion, where He was despised, rejected, and considered of no account. In this union, we find not despair but peace, knowing we are united with the suffering members of the Mystical Body and not the glittering, apostate structure posing as the Church today. Embrace this prayer not as a pious sentiment, but as a battle cry in the spiritual combat for the Faith. The way of humility is the way of the Cross—the only path that leads to Heaven.
“Dómine Iesu, mitis et húmilis corde, exáudi me….”
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