St. Elizabeth of Hungary & the Litany of Humility

Elizabeth of Hungary, remembered on her feast day of November 17, demonstrated such love for the poor and suffering that she chose a life of penance and asceticism over a life of leisure and luxury. This saintly princess, one of the Sisters of Hope's patron saints and a third-order Franciscan, led a life of prayer, sacrifice, and service to the poor and sick. In addition to giving bread and alms to the poor, she converted her own castle into a hospital to address the increasing number of sick and suffering, visiting them daily to provide comfort and support.

During her short life, St. Elizabeth "nursed with her own hands those who were afflicted with the most disgusting diseases, made their beds herself, lifted them and carried them on her back or in her arms to other beds, and wiped their face, their nose, and mouth with the veil she wore on her head," according to the book "Life of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary: Duchess of Thuringia" by Charles Forbes.

St. Elizabeth was a beautiful example of scriptural charity, living out 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, "charity is patient, is kind; charity does not envy, is not pretentious, is not puffed up, is not ambitious, is not self-seeking, is not provoked; thinks no evil, does not rejoice over wickedness, but rejoices with the truth, bears with all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things," and Matthew 22:36-40, "to have charity is to love God above all things for Himself and be ready to renounce all created things rather than offend Him by serious sin."

So how do we share that love for our neighbors? It begins with a humble heart. St. Benedict of Nursia said, 'the first step of humility is unhesitating obedience, which comes naturally to those who cherish Christ above all." (Rule of Benedict, chapter 5) Take some time today to pray the Litany of Humility and remember the example of St. Elizabeth, who gave selflessly.

Litany of Humility

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.