I’ve been trying to go to Confession more regularly because I have been so encouraged by some of the articles we have posted here on Catholic-Link. (Find them here!) One of the many benefits of going more often has been that I’ve been able to see a pattern in the sins that I’m confessing.
What I’ve discovered is that almost all of my sins are stemming from the root sin of pride. I know that I’m not alone in this struggle, after all, wasn’t the Original Sin of Adam and Eve a result of pride?
In order to overcome my own pride, I’ve been doing some research, reading, and praying. One of the most helpful tools that I’ve come across is this checklist from St. Josemaria Escriva for those who struggle with a lack of humility. If you’ve mastered all of these, please give me your advice!
St. Josemaria Escriva’s 17 Signs Of A Lack Of Humility
- Thinking that what you do or say is better than what others do or say;
2. Always wanting to get your own way;
3. Arguing when you are not right or—when you are—insisting stubbornly or with bad manners;
4. Giving your opinion without being asked for it, when charity does not demand you to do so;
5. Despising the point of view of others;
6. Not being aware that all the gifts and qualities you have are on loan;
7. Not acknowledging that you are unworthy of all honor or esteem, even the ground you are treading on or the things you own;
8. Mentioning yourself as an example in conversation;
9. Speaking badly about yourself, so that they may form a good opinion of you, or contradict you;
10. Making excuses when rebuked;
11. Hiding some humiliating faults from your director, so that he may not lose the good opinion he has of you;
12. Hearing praise with satisfaction, or being glad that others have spoken well of you;
13. Being hurt that others are held in greater esteem than you;
14. Refusing to carry out menial tasks;
15. Seeking or wanting to be singled out;
16. Letting drop words of self-praise in conversation, or words that might show your honesty, your wit or skill, your professional prestige…;
17. Being ashamed of not having certain possessions…
If you need to work on a few of the things that St.Josemaria Escriva listed, spend time praying the Litany of Humility.
Litany of Humility
O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, Hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed,
Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being loved…Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being extolled …Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being honored …Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being praised … Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being preferred to others…Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being consulted …Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being approved … Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being humiliated … Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being despised… Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of suffering rebukes … Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being calumniated … Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being forgotten … Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being ridiculed … Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being wronged …Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being suspected …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, 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 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.
Rafael Cardinal Merry del Val (1865-1930), Secretary of State for Pope Saint Pius X, found at EWTN
Additional Resources on Humility
Reflection on the Litany of Humility
A Catholic Girl’s Litany of Humility
Discerning Hearts Audio Litany of Humility
